Surat Municipal Corporation has intensified food safety checks ahead of Diwali, inspecting 16 sweet shops and collecting 31 samples for laboratory testing while separately seizing 398 kg of low-fat paneer during a joint inspection with police.
The inspections were conducted by the civic body’s food safety department as demand for sweets, desserts and other festive food products is expected to rise across the city. Officials said the checks were aimed at preventing the sale of substandard or unsafe products during the festive season, when households typically purchase sweets in larger quantities.
On Tuesday, civic officials visited 16 outlets selling sweets and collected 31 samples of sweets and desserts. The samples have been sent for laboratory testing. The report did not specify the names of the outlets inspected or the products represented by each sample.
In a separate action on Monday, the food safety department worked with the police to inspect Ms Amrut Milk and Milk Products on New Bamroli Road, near Tirupati Circle. Officials collected paneer samples from the premises and issued notices after observing hygiene-related deficiencies during the inspection.
The inspection team seized 398 kg of low-fat paneer from the establishment. The seized stock was estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1.11 lakh. The report did not state whether the seized paneer had been declared unsafe or whether the action was taken pending laboratory results.
Officials said the paneer samples had also been sent to a laboratory for testing, with results expected within the next couple of days. The laboratory findings will determine whether further regulatory action is required in relation to the seized product.
The municipal department’s action combines routine outlet inspections with enforcement at a milk and milk-products establishment. The hygiene notices indicate deficiencies at the premises, while the laboratory process is being used to assess the quality and safety of the collected food samples.
Further action will depend on the laboratory findings and the establishment’s compliance with applicable food safety regulations, according to officials. The inspections are continuing as the city approaches Diwali and festive demand for sweets and dairy-based products increases.
