82 inspections conducted in three months; ₹1.20 lakh in fines recovered and prohibited gutkha products worth ₹22.24 lakh seized
Sindhudurg: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified enforcement against hotels, restaurants and other food establishments across Sindhudurg district, carrying out 82 inspections over the past three months.
As part of the drive, 12 establishments have been served closure notices for alleged violations of food safety norms, while fines totalling ₹1.20 lakh have been recovered.
The FDA has simultaneously stepped up its campaign against prohibited gutkha and related tobacco products. Action has been taken against six persons, with banned material worth ₹22.24 lakh seized during enforcement operations across the district.
Officials described the seizures as among the significant anti-gutkha actions undertaken in Sindhudurg.
The department has also collected 47 food samples from various establishments for testing. Improvement notices have been issued to 19 food businesses, while 12 establishments have been served closure notices following inspections.
Assistant Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Sindhudurg, Lalit Gaikwad appealed to food business operators to cooperate with the administration and ensure strict compliance with prescribed food safety standards.
He urged establishments not to wait for official inspections and instead undertake regular self-assessments of hygiene, sanitation and food-handling practices.
Gaikwad said particular attention should be paid to the availability of clean drinking water, proper waste disposal, pest-control measures, hygienic toilet facilities and safe food preparation practices.
Employees involved in preparing and serving food should also undergo regular health monitoring and maintain high standards of personal hygiene, he said.
“Strict compliance with food safety regulations is the best way to avoid enforcement action,” Gaikwad said.
Nitesh Rane Appeals for Compliance
Sindhudurg Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane also urged hotels, restaurants and other food establishments in the district to comply strictly with food safety regulations.
Rane said the enforcement action initiated by the FDA was being carried out under existing rules and appealed to food business operators to cooperate with the department.
He stressed that both local residents and tourists visiting Sindhudurg must be provided with clean, safe and quality food.
The minister called upon hotels, restaurants, eateries, sweet shops, bakeries and other establishments to maintain high standards of hygiene and food quality and follow all applicable food safety norms.
