PANAJI
Goa’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has stepped up inspections of restaurants and cloud kitchens across the State amidst the prolonged heatwave which could be a major food safety risk.
Several outlets have already been served "improvement notices" and some even asked to shut operations until the deviations from licensing conditions are rectified and the suggested improvements complied with.
“High temperatures accelerate food spoilage. We cannot risk unsafe food reaching consumers,” a senior FDA official said while confirming that surprise checks will continue.
In recent raids, FDA officials ordered closure of eateries in several places across Goa for “severely unhygienic conditions” and structural deficiencies.
Officials said the action is not only punitive but also preventive.
“Our teams are ensuring compliance with hygiene and licensing norms,” FDA's Richard Noronha, who is the 'designated officer' for North Goa under the FSSAI, said.
The timing of the FDA action is critical as already, thousands of tourists have begun pouring on a daily basis in this summer vacation month of May, putting pressure on a shrunk hospitality sector with several beach shacks and outlets having shut shop due to the earlier LPG crisis.
FDA officials said the inspections are focusing on refrigeration, ingredient traceability, and staff hygiene. Food handlers without sanitary cards are being flagged, and kitchens operating in temporary structures without proper drainage are being served notices to rectify the anomalies.
Officials have warned that follow‘up inspections will revisit previously checked outlets, and kitchens are now required to maintain sourcing records, besides demonstrating safe storage practices. FDA also plans to hold training sessions for kitchen manpower.
