FDA, NMMC crackdown : 5,000 kg inedible meat, 434 kg mawa seized from Nerul

In what could be easily termed as a successful collaboration between two governmental agencies, officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Thane and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) seized about 5,000 kg of meat and 434kg of mawa -- unfit for human consumption -- in Navi Mumbaiin the last one month.

Surprise check: Several sweet shops and meat shops visited by the team of FDA and NMMC officials in Navi Mumbai in the past one month

While the meat comprised 4,330 kg of beef, 330 of kg mutton and 340 kg of chicken, the entire consignment of mawa was confiscated from a single unit operating from MIDC in Nerul. The entire consignment of meat was dumped at the Turbhe dumping ground.

FDA Assistant Commissioner (Thane) Ganesh Parlikar said, "Many a times, we are unaware of several areas, which the local NMMC officials are well-versed with. Therefore, the formation of this team proved to be extremely beneficial. In very little time, we have been able to crack down on those selling food in unhygienic conditions. Most of the meat shops that were raided were filthy, increasing the chances of contamination manifold."

NMMC veterinary officer Dr Vaibhav Zunzare, who was a part ofthe team, said this was just the tip of the iceberg. "We are yet to check several shops operating in Navi Mumbai that sell eatables openly, thus making the eatables unfit for human consumption. We are trying our best to create awareness and if required, penalise offenders. If need arises, we'll even lodge criminal cases against them." u00a0