Staff Reporter
Mapusa
Continuing its drive against restaurants flouting hygiene norms, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Thursday evening inspected 17 food establishments in Arpora and Anjuna, directing eight of them to suspend operations until they renovate and comply with hygiene standards.
The ongoing drive is
focused on the coastal belt to ensure food safety
and hygiene compliance among eateries.
Designated Officer Richard Noronha said the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration had launched a special late evening surveillance drive in the beach belt targeting restaurants.
“We have conducted drives in Arpora and Anjuna areas wherein outlets inspected were engaged in preparation of Udupi-style items, biryani sellers, retail outlets, and fast food. Seventeen outlets were inspected and eight were directed to suspend operations and comply with hygiene norms. Besides, others were issued improvement notices,” said Noronha.
“With the objective of ensuring hygiene compliance by all eateries, all food business operators are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance and must not wait for FDA authorities to initiate action. Proactive compliance is solicited,”
he added.
Noronha also said
that the FDA will continue such late evening special drives in “hot
spot areas.”
The inspections were conducted under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai, Noronha, and Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar and
Lenin De Sa.
