The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)
intensified its food safety enforcement efforts on July 16, 2026, by
conducting a surveillance drive across Candolim, Anjuna, Vagator and
Mapusa, inspecting a range of food establishments for compliance with
food safety regulations.
The inspection covered restaurants,
retail outlets, food vending establishments and wholesalers. A total
of 17 food businesses were inspected during the operation, of which
nine units were directed to suspend operations due to various
instances of non-compliance observed by the FDA team.
As part
of the drive, officials also visited the Mapusa Alankar area to
continue inspections of additional outlets and review the compliance
status of establishments that had previously been ordered to shut
down.
FDA officials stated that the surveillance drive will
continue in other parts of the state as part of ongoing efforts to
ensure food safety standards are maintained. Food business operators
have been urged to strictly adhere to the prescribed norms, failing
which their licences may be suspended or penalties imposed under
Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The
inspection team comprised Designated Officer Richard Noronha and Food
Safety Officers Lenin De Sa, Amit Mandrekar and Darlane Diukar, along
with staff member Sandeep Shelke. The drive was conducted under the
guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
