The Food Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken strong action against food safety violations. During an inspection drive from July 14 to August 1, officials found 560 food outlets in poor hygienic conditions. This large-scale inspection saw officials check 1,420 food establishments and collect 307 samples of various food items for testing. These items included milk products, sweets, bakery goods, edible oils, and spices.
Out of the inspected units, 560 were found to break food safety rules. In response, the AMC issued notices to these outlets. They also collected ₹16.45 lakh in administrative charges for non-compliance. An additional ₹4.4 lakh was recovered from businesses operating without proper licenses or registration.
This action is part of a broader initiative to ensure public health, especially during the Shravan month festivals. During this time, there is an increase in demand for farali items, sweets, snacks, and dairy products.
The AMC’s food safety teams are committed to regular inspections to maintain hygiene standards. They aim to protect consumers from unsafe food practices. The inspections not only help in identifying unhygienic conditions but also contribute to raising awareness among food business operators.
In a previous inspection drive from July 13 to July 26, the AMC sealed seven food businesses. This was done under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after suspicious food samples were collected for testing. A total of 1,045 establishments were inspected during this time. The AMC issued 414 notices for various violations and destroyed approximately 748 kilograms or litres of unfit food. They also collected ₹3.85 lakh in administrative charges.
The AMC is focused on improving food safety standards in Ahmedabad. They have issued 1,761 new licenses and registrations, bringing in ₹12.86 lakh in fees. This shows a proactive approach to regulation and compliance in the food industry.
Among the sealed units was Shri Ramdevji Dalwada near Shah Alam Tollnaka. It was operating with registration instead of the required license and was found to be unhygienic. In Motera, Good Bites (Ajay’s) was sealed after tests showed unacceptable microbial levels. Another outlet, MS Tawa Fry & Chinese in Sabarmati, was sealed due to poor hygiene.
On July 17, a complaint about fungus on a sauce bottle led to the sealing of Domino’s Pizza in Ghatlodia. Sudha Enterprise in Maninagar was sealed on July 22 for operating without a license and having duplicate food products. Finally, Champion Bakery in Danilimda was sealed for maintaining unhygienic conditions.
AMC officials have stated that they will continue these inspections across the city. This includes checking hotels and restaurants to ensure compliance with food safety norms. The goal is to protect public health and ensure that all food served in Ahmedabad is safe for consumption.
As the demand for food increases during festivals, these checks are crucial. The AMC is dedicated to maintaining high standards in the food industry, ensuring the safety and health of all citizens. Through these efforts, they aim to build public trust and ensure that food businesses operate within the law. The community is encouraged to report any unhygienic conditions they observe in food outlets to help keep Ahmedabad’s food scene safe.