The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gandhinagar, issued improvement notices to five hotels and eateries after finding sanitation and hygiene deficiencies during inspections along the Lawarpur and Chiloda-Himmatnagar highway.
The inspections were conducted on August 21 as part of the ongoing food safety drive. Officials inspected eight establishments and destroyed around 23 kg of unhygienic food products worth approximately Rs 4,300.
The inspections were carried out under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with officials checking food quality and compliance with sanitation and hygiene requirements prescribed under Schedule 4.
Five Establishments Receive Notices
Improvement notices were served to:
- Gujarat Dhaba, Lawarpur
- Jay Bhavani Kathiyawadi Dhaba, Lawarpur
- Hotel Blue Rock, Lawarpur Highway, Mota Chiloda
- Swastik Hotel, Shiholi
- Shri Abhinandan Fast Food, Mota Chiloda
Officials said further legal action could be initiated if the establishments fail to rectify the deficiencies identified during the inspections.
Food Samples Sent for Testing
The FDCA also inspected Purohit Dalbati, Infinity Food Court and Zebrata Food Corner. Officials collected food samples for laboratory analysis, including dal and sev-tomato vegetable from Purohit Dalbati and brinjal bhadthu and pulao from Gujarat Dhaba. Further action will be decided based on the analysis reports.
23 Kg of Unhygienic Food Destroyed
During the drive, officials disposed of around 10 kg of unhygienic food items at Gujarat Dhaba, 5 kg of chutney and bhaji at Jay Bhavani Kathiyawadi Dhaba, and 8 kg of seasoning masala, peri-peri powder and black pepper powder at Swastik Hotel. The total quantity of food destroyed was around 23 kg, with an estimated value of Rs 4,300.
Food Outlets Directed to Follow Hygiene Norms
The FDCA directed the inspected establishments to ensure that customers are served clean, safe and quality food. Hotels, restaurants and food vendors across Gandhinagar district have also been instructed to ensure that food handlers wear caps, aprons and gloves while preparing and serving food.
Officials further directed food establishments not to use artificial colours in ready-to-eat food items or newspapers for handling and serving food. They have also been asked to maintain proper hygiene throughout food preparation and service.