Rs 10k fine for substandard cashew nuts

Panaji: Two manufacturers and one seller of substandard cashew nuts have been fined Rs 10,000 each, the directorate of food and drugs administration (FDA) stated.
The FDA had drawn a sample of cashew nuts from a shop at Calangute and found that the cashew nuts failed in free fatty acid, were superficially damaged, specked or spotted black with brown kernels with damage by insects and with the presence of added flavour and taste.
The second sample of cashew nuts drawn from a supermarket in Margao, manufactured by a manufacturer in Sattari, was declared sub-standard as it was damaged, and discoloured more than the maximum possible limit provided in regulations.
The FDA did not disclose the names of the sellers and manufacturers who were imposed the penalties for selling the substandard cashew nuts.
The district collector, North and South Goa in the capacity of adjudicating officers under the Food Safety and Standards Act, disposed off the cases imposing the penalty on the manufacturers and sellers for selling substandard cashew nuts.
The samples of cashew nuts were drawn as part of regular surveillance procedure and also based on the complaint received, regarding quality of cashewnuts, the FDA stated.
It added that the drive against substandard cashewnuts will continue.