AMC finds 28 unsafe food samples in Ahmedabad, action planned against eateries

Ahmedabad residents continue to be exposed to potentially unsafe food products, with food safety inspections by the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) revealing violations across multiple food categories. In May, 28 food samples collected from establishments across the city failed quality tests and were declared substandard or unsafe.

According to figures released by AMC’s Food Department, officials collected 862 food samples during the month. The samples that failed testing included burnt cooking oil, pani puri water, cow ghee, ragda, turmeric, soya products, butter, milkshakes, chilli powder, Manchurian dishes and fruit juices.

As a result, authorities will file seven cases in court, while 21 cases will be taken up before the adjudicating officer.

Pani puri water among products found non-compliant

Food safety officials detected food-grade artificial colouring in seven of the 86 samples of pani puri water collected during inspections.

Following the findings, AMC seized the carts linked to the non-compliant samples. The testing was part of a wider inspection drive aimed at checking food quality and hygiene standards across Ahmedabad.

Over 200 notices issued during inspection drive

Over the past 12 days, AMC inspected 599 food establishments across the city. During the drive, notices were issued to 202 operators for violations related to food hygiene and safety standards.

The civic body also imposed fines totalling ₹5.16 lakh on operators found selling unhygienic food.

As part of the same exercise, officials collected 290 food samples from various parts of Ahmedabad. These included 28 samples of cold drinks, ice gola and ice cream; 25 samples of mango, sugarcane and watermelon juices; 44 samples of paneer, milk and other dairy products; 45 samples of sweets, bakery items and flour; 22 samples of namkeen and edible oils; 64 samples of spices; and 62 samples from other food categories.

Of these 290 samples, six were declared substandard.

Action initiated against restaurants using analogue paneer

Meanwhile, AMC officials found that 27 restaurants in Ahmedabad had been using analogue paneer instead of milk-based paneer during inspections conducted over the past three months.

Authorities said action has been initiated against the establishments concerned. Officials have also warned that hotels and restaurants found illegally using analogue paneer could face stringent action, including the sealing of their premises.

The findings come amid continued scrutiny of food safety standards in the city, particularly during the summer season when demand for beverages, dairy products and street food remains high.