Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 23: In a major surveillance drive to curb unsafe food entering Goa, the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted night-long checks at interstate borders of Patradevi, Keri and Mollem from 8 pm on August 21 to 7 am on August 22.
The inspection targeted food-laden vehicles entering the State. Officials drew samples of vegetables, fruits and other perishables, while unlabelled consignments from unverified sources were detained.

The crackdown resulted in the seizure of 1,760 kg of unlabelled chicken and 500 kg of paneer at Keri, 700 kg of chicken at Mollem, and 10 kg of khoa at Patradevi. FDA Director Shweta Dessai, who led the drive, said the exercise aimed to strengthen food safety standards. “We have observed improved compliance compared to earlier visits, but we will continue to intensify surveillance to ensure stricter adherence to legal norms,” she stated.

Besides seizures, officials also sensitized food suppliers about mandatory labelling rules and other food safety provisions. The North Goa operation was supervised by Designated Officer Richard Noronha, with dedicated teams stationed at all three check posts.

The FDA has assured that such surprise inspections will continue in the weeks ahead, especially during the festive season. This marks the second major seizure of the month, following the confiscation of 1,300 kg of raw chicken and 250 kg of misbranded analogue Mava at Mollem earlier.