The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has directed 11,123 restaurants and food businesses to install CCTV cameras in their kitchens and display the live footage near reception or dining areas. The move will allow customers to see kitchen hygiene conditions while eating.
The directive comes as the AMC’s food department steps up inspections at restaurants, school and college canteens, hospitals and hostel kitchens.
Food operators have been asked to maintain clean kitchens, follow proper hygiene practices, keep raw and cooked food separate, use safe drinking water and carry out regular pest control and utensil cleaning.
They have also been instructed to use only FSSAI-approved food colours and cooking oils. Repeated or serious violations could result in cancellation of licences and sealing of the premises.
Action already underway
The AMC has begun taking action against establishments violating food safety norms. On Wednesday, it sealed the hostel canteen at Mahatma Gandhi Physiotherapy College in Saijpur Bogha for operating without a licence and maintaining unhygienic conditions. Ants and cockroaches were reportedly found in the food.
Several eateries sealed
The civic body also inspected eight school canteens and sealed several food establishments for violations. These included Mad Over Grills in Kankaria, Santosh Ghee Bhandar in Madhupura, Rajesh Dudh Ghar in Kubernagar, Sabru Chinese Mughlai & Tawa Fry in Sarkhej, Samrat Bakery in Behrampura and Bhairavnath Bhojanalay in Rakhial.
The violations reportedly ranged from the use of substandard paneer to flour contaminated with insects.
Focus on kitchen transparency
Through the CCTV requirement, the AMC aims to make food preparation more transparent. The initiative will allow customers, along with food safety officials, to keep a closer watch on hygiene standards inside commercial kitchens.