Panaji: The FDA, during raids in South Goa, imposed penalties to the tune of Rs 17,000 on food operators for unlicensed premises, storing expired food products, and unhygienic conditions.One food retailer at Seraulim was found selling expired food articles, and items worth Rs 35,600 were destroyed by FDA.In a late-night inspection drive at Old Market Road, Margao, the FDA inspected three food vending establishments, two retail outlets, three restaurants, and a bakery. They issued a notice to one unlicensed juice centre who was asked to comply with the norms at the earliest.During the drive, FDA noted several deficiencies, including lack of a sanitary card, no pest control records, use of non-permitted colour for chicken, use of an iron knife, a dustbin without a lid, no false ceiling in the kitchen premises, no proper washing facility, no proper storage facility, food handlers without proper attire, food items in the refrigerator not segregated and labelled, and the refrigerator not maintained clean. Directions were given to the food business establishment to comply with the deficiencies within three days and submit a compliance report.In this inspection at Seraulim and Verna, the FDA served notices to food business operators (FBOs) along with a spot inspection report after finding deficiencies concerning no proper personnel attire, lack of health card copies, lack of a pest control certificate, no smoking board displayed as per COTPA specifications, use of newspaper for wrapping food articles, and addition of colour to prepared food items.The FDA also educated FBOs regarding the use of food colour, hygienic conditions, and disposal of used cooking oil.
