Other Metal Found in Place of Silver Foil on Kaju Katli, AMC Seals Two Ahmedabad Food Units

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed two food units during a pre-festive crackdown on food adulteration after a preliminary test found another metal foil in place of silver foil on Kaju Katlis at one unit, while another was found operating without an FSSAI licence and under unhygienic conditions.

The AMC Food Department has intensified inspections of sweet shops and food businesses ahead of the festive season, when demand for sweets and other food products typically rises.

During one such inspection, the department conducted an on-the-spot preliminary examination of Kaju Katli samples using a rapid testing kit. The screening indicated that the foil used on the Kaju Katli was another metal and not silver foil.

Following the finding, officials traced the supply of the Kaju Katli quantity to a unit in the Bapunagar area. The AMC said the unit was subsequently sealed in the interest of public health.

In a separate action, the Food Department inspected the godown of Shri Balaji Mawawala in the Vadjagam-Dariapur area. Officials found that the unit did not have the mandatory licence under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The godown was also found to be falling short of prescribed hygiene standards, following which it too was sealed.

Festive Season Adulteration Checks Intensified

The AMC said it is carrying out rapid on-site checks to detect possible adulteration in food products ahead of the festive season.

The inspections include verification of the authenticity of silver foil used on sweets, checks for non-food-grade colours, starch in khoya and mawa, vegetable oil in products sold as being made with ‘pure ghee’, and adulteration involving saffron.

Officials are also conducting preliminary tests to detect starch adulteration in paneer and cheese.

The Food Department has so far inspected 22 food units across different parts of Ahmedabad using rapid testing kits.

Lab Tests To Follow If Samples Raise Doubts

The AMC clarified that the rapid tests are preliminary screening tests and are not final laboratory findings. If officials find any suspected adulteration or have doubts about a sample, it will be collected and sent to an authorised laboratory for detailed analysis.

Further legal action will be taken based on the laboratory results, the civic body said.

The AMC has announced plans to intensify inspections of food business establishments across the city in the coming days. It said strict action would be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations (GPMC) Act against units operating without an FSSAI licence or violating prescribed food safety and hygiene norms.