Ahmedabad Seals Four Farsan Units Over Illegal Disposal of Used Cooking Oil; Suspected Supply to Dhabas, Pani-Puri Vendors

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed four farsan manufacturing units in Dudheshwar and Gandhi Road over violations involving the disposal of used cooking oil and poor hygiene standards.

The AMC Health and Food Department suspects that blackened oil left after frying snacks is being diverted to scrap dealers, soap manufacturers, highway dhabas and pani-puri vendors instead of being handed over to government-authorised disposal agencies.

The action comes amid increased production of sweets and farsan during the Diwali festive season, when food safety concerns rise with higher demand.

Used Oil Allegedly Diverted to Unauthorised Buyers

According to Dr Tejash Shah, Head of the AMC Food Department, around 5 to 7 litres of oil become degraded for every 50 litres used in farsan production.

Such oil must be handed over to agencies recognised by the Government of India. Food businesses are required to sign formal agreements with authorised agencies to ensure its proper collection and disposal.

However, inspections have revealed that several traders are not following the prescribed procedure. The department suspects that used cooking oil is being sold or passed on to unauthorised buyers, raising concerns that it could re-enter the food supply chain.

Four Farsan Units Sealed in Dudheshwar and Gandhi Road

The AMC sealed four establishments during its enforcement drive. Two units were located in Dudheshwar and two near the old Pratap Cinema on Gandhi Road.

The sealed establishments are:

• Swastik Foods, Maheshwari Estate, Dudheshwar Road
• Shyam Sundar Food Products, Tavdipura, Dudheshwar Road
• Prakashkumar Kanhaiyalal, near old Pratap Cinema, Gandhi Road
• Amratlal Kuberdas Namkinwala, near old Pratap Cinema, Gandhi Road

The department said the units would remain sealed until their operators sign agreements with authorised agencies and provide assurances that all used cooking oil will be handed over exclusively to them.

Workers at Swastik Foods Found Without Masks and Gloves

An inspection of Swastik Foods uncovered several food safety violations. The unit had no agreement with an authorised agency for used oil disposal.

Officials also found inadequate flooring, tiles and whitewashing. Workers were not wearing mandatory protective clothing, including caps, aprons, masks and gloves.

The establishment was also found violating hygiene and sanitation requirements prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.

Packaging and Hygiene Violations at Other Units

At Shyam Sundar Food Products in Tavdipura, officials found irregularities in the packaging and labelling of food products. The unit also failed to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required during food production and storage.

It had not entered into an agreement with an authorised agency for used cooking oil disposal.

Inspections at Prakashkumar Kanhaiyalal and Amratlal Kuberdas Namkinwala on Gandhi Road also revealed poor hygiene and inadequate sanitary conditions. Both establishments lacked agreements with government-recognised agencies for disposing of used oil.

Agreement Mandatory for Businesses Using Over 50 Kg Oil Daily

The AMC has clarified that food establishments consuming more than 50 kg of cooking oil daily must enter into agreements with agencies recognised by the Government of India for the proper collection and disposal of used oil.

The responsibility lies with food business operators to ensure that degraded cooking oil is not reused or diverted into unauthorised channels.

The department has warned that establishments found violating these requirements during inspections could face fines and sealing of their premises.