AMC cracks down on unhygienic panipuri vendors, seizes 250 carts

In the wake of water contamination incidents reported from Gandhinagar and Indore, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC)’s health department has stepped up enforcement against panipuri carts operating across the city.

Acting jointly with the Estate Department, the civic body has launched a drive against street vendors, particularly panipuri carts, for using harmful food colours and selling unhygienic items. The AMC has claimed that more than 250 panipuri carts have been seized so far for using non-permitted food-grade colours.

It was only after a severe outbreak of waterborne diseases in Indore and later in Gandhinagar that the AMC was compelled to initiate action.

As part of the drive, a total of 1,121 samples collected from panipuri carts were sent for chemical analysis. Of these, 280 samples were found to contain non-permitted food-grade colours.

Health officials warned that prolonged consumption of such harmful colours can lead to digestive disorders, vomiting, diarrhoea, and other health complications.

Additionally, 77 samples were collected for bacteriological testing, out of which two samples were found to be contaminated.

During the joint enforcement drive, the civic body also destroyed more than 2,000 kilograms of unfit liquid and food material.