Surat Municipal Corporation has intensified food safety inspections ahead of Diwali, testing 31 samples from sweet shops and seizing 398 kg of low-fat paneer during enforcement action across the city. The checks are aimed at preventing the sale of substandard or unsafe food as demand for sweets and festive delicacies rises.
On Tuesday, the civic body’s food safety department inspected 16 outlets selling sweets and collected samples of sweets and desserts for laboratory examination. The inspection covered several popular sweet shops as part of routine checks being conducted before the festive season.
The drive follows a separate joint inspection carried out by the food safety department and police on Monday at Ms Amrut Milk and Milk Products on New Bamroli Road, near Tirupati Circle. Officials collected paneer samples from the premises and issued notices after identifying hygiene-related deficiencies.
The department seized 398 kg of low-fat paneer during the action. The seized stock was estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1.11 lakh. The enforcement action was conducted as part of checks on food establishments dealing in products that are expected to see increased demand during Diwali.
Officials have sent the collected paneer samples to a laboratory for testing. The results are expected within the next couple of days, according to the report. The samples taken from sweet shops will also be examined to determine whether the products meet applicable food safety standards.
The civic department’s next action will depend on the laboratory findings and the compliance status of the inspected establishment. Officials said further proceedings would be initiated based on the test results and whether the outlet meets food safety and hygiene requirements.
The inspections place municipal enforcement at the centre of festive food safety, when larger purchase volumes can increase the circulation of products requiring closer oversight. For consumers, the immediate outcome of the drive will depend on the laboratory reports and any further action ordered by the authorities after the results are received.
