Food safety squad lens on Xmas cake-makers

The Commissionerate has constitutes 38 special squads to crack down on bakeries and shops selling various confectioneries including cake.

Thiruvananthapuram: With Christmas and New Year around the corner, the Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety has constituted special squads to crack down on cake, wine manufacturing units sprouting across the state.

The Commissionerate has constitutes 38 special squads to crack down on bakeries and shops selling various confectioneries including cake.

The squads will collect fine and take legal action against violators using artificial colours. Around 38 designated officers and 76 food safety officers have been deployed for the purpose.

The squad will focus on the quality of the confectioneries sold during Christmas.

According to the food officials, during Christmas and New Year, many temporary cake and wine shops sprout across the state. The squad will take strict action if the food safety guidelines are not followed.

Those having complaints can email their grievance to foodsafetykerala@gmail.com or contact the toll-free number: 1800 425 1125 or can directly contact food safety joint commissioner (enforcement) on 8943341130.

FDA shuts down 3 restaurants run by Russians at Morjim

Those sealed during the raid were Bora Bora, Soma Project and Fish; Marabela Club’s licence cancelled

MORJIM/PANJIM: The State Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Thursday shut down three restaurants run by Russians at Morjim beach. 

The restaurants sealed by the FDA during the raid were Bora Bora, Soma Project and Fish.

Under the Food Safety Act, the FDA has cancelled the licence of a famous joint Marabela Beach Club at Morjim.

The restaurants were operating without licences as mandated under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act 2006 and have been directed not to carry out any food-related activity, until all the necessary approvals are obtained.

Soma Project Living Room Resort, Morjim was directed not to carry out any food related activity until all the approvals are obtained. Bora Bora Lounge Restaurant and Night Bar at Morjim run by a company with five directors among which four are Russians and a local, Girish Naik was directed to close down. Another restaurant - Fish was shut down for operating without licence mandatory under the FSSAI Act 2006. Both Bora Bora and Fish have been issued notices under Section 31 of FSSAI Act 2006.

Earlier, Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane had warned of crackdown on non-licenced businesses being run by foreigners in Goa. 

He had alleged that non-licenced business establishments were run by foreigners and used as “narcotic havens”.

Vishwajit Rane informed Herald that these three premises have been shut and the police have been directed to maintain a vigil.

“Besides these three premises earlier on Tuesday we have also cancelled the FDA licence under the Food Safety Act to Marabela Club at Morjim. It was found to be operating in absolutely substandard conditions. The food being served was unfit for human consumption. We have taken the decision in public interest and this licence stands cancelled and neither will be it reviewed again,” he said. 

“We are carrying out a crackdown on non-licenced businesses especially those run by foreigners. We will make sure that all of these are shut,” he added. 

The entire raid was conducted along with policemen from Pernem Police Station.