Mapusa: Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials on Wednesday destroyed around two tonnes of artificially ripened bananas after seizing them from two vendors at the Mapusa sub-yard market. The fruit, treated with a banned chemical agent, was transported to the Cunchelim garbage site and destroyed with the assistance of the Mapusa Municipal Council.
FDA official Richard Noronha said the department had been monitoring the area for several days and had collected fruit samples for testing. These later tested positive for Ethaphone, a banned ripening agent.
“We identified the vendors using the chemical. The bananas had liquid residues, so the entire stock was seized and destroyed,” said Noronha. The Mapusa police have also been informed, and a formal complaint has been lodged for further action.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, FDA officials shut down a bakery unit and its retail outlet at Gaunswaddo, Mapusa, after finding them operating under unhygienic conditions and without a valid licence. A fine of
Rs 10,000 was imposed under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“There were gross violations including structural deficiencies, lack of sanitary cards for food handlers, and unlabelled food items sourced from another state,” said Noronha.
Additionally, a sweet manufacturing unit inspected at Moira was found largely compliant, with only minor issues. An improvement notice was issued for corrective measures.
