Panaji, Dec 6 (IANS): Restaurants of three coastal shacks at the popular Morjim beach were shut down and sealed by the Goa Food and Drugs Administration on Thursday, amid a crackdown on food outlets operated by foreign nationals in the coastal state.

A statement issued by the state agency on Thursday said that the three restaurants, one of which was operated by Russian nationals in partnership with a local resident, were shut down for operating without requisite licences.

"Today, FDA shut down three premises in Morjim coastal belt and directed them not to carry out any food related activity, until all the approvals are obtained," the statement said.

The names of the three outlets sealed by FDA are Bora Bora, Project Soma and Fish.

"The restaurants were operating without license as mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act," the statement said.

On December 4, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had warned of a crackdown on non-licenced businesses run by foreign nationals in Goa while alleging that unlicensed business establishments run by foreigners were used as narcotic havens.

The coastline of Goa, one of the most popular beach tourism destinations, is peppered with small businesses run by foreigners, many of them in partnership with local businesses, selling hand-tooled goods, cafes, restaurants, alternative health facilities and trinkets.