Daijiworld Media Network - Ponda

Ponda, Apr 21: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been intensifying its crackdown across Goa in recent days, and on Monday, a major raid was conducted at Vishal Mega Mart in Fonda. During the inspection, several shocking revelations were made, highlighting significant health and safety concerns.

FDA officials discovered a large presence of rats in the grocery section of the store, prompting immediate action. Some grocery packets were seized for further examination. Officials also found several hygiene violations at the mart, particularly linked to the cleanliness of the premises. Due to the rat infestation, the FDA officials took several packets for inspection, which could potentially pose a risk to consumer health.

Earlier this week, on April 16, the FDA had carried out similar actions in Navelim (Sanguem) and Mapusa, where violations in food safety were also identified. A restaurant in Navelim was given a seven-day deadline to rectify the issues found during the inspection.

Moreover, a major drive was conducted in the Tiswadi Taluka areas, including Goa Velha, Santinil, and Panaji. During the operation, 12 hotels and restaurants were inspected, with four establishments being shut down due to non-compliance with hygiene standards.

The FDA's ongoing efforts aim to ensure better food safety and cleanliness practices in the region, holding establishments accountable for failing to meet basic health standards.