The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) health department conducted rigorous inspections across the city, uncovering instances of food adulteration and substandard practices.
During the period of April 14-20, inspections were carried out at 319 shops and food joints in Ahmedabad. Shockingly, 140 of these establishments were found to be violating food safety norms and were promptly issued notices by the civic body. Additionally, a significant quantity of inedible solid and liquid food items, totalling 317kg and 472 litres respectively, were confiscated and destroyed to prevent their consumption. To further enforce compliance, the AMC levied fines amounting to Rs 46,000 on the erring shops, signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards food adulteration and substandard hygiene practices. Simultaneously, as temperatures soared in the city, there was a surge in the consumption of cold beverages and juices, including ice golas, sugarcane juice, and mango juice. However, amidst this seasonal trend, the incidence of waterborne diseases witnessed a concerning spike, raising alarms about the quality and safety of food and beverages consumed by the public.
In response to these health concerns, the civic body collected 68 food samples during the inspection period, sending them for laboratory testing to ascertain their quality and safety standards. Alarmingly, nine of the samples collected in March and April were found to be substandard, leading to legal action under the Food Safety Act. This crackdown on food adulteration underscores the AMC’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the integrity of the food supply chain. By taking decisive action against violators and raising awareness about the importance of food safety, the authorities aim to create a safer and healthier environment for residents and visitors alike.
