The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Health Department has stepped up its anti-adulteration drive across the city, collecting and testing around 500 food samples in August. With demand for sweets and dairy products rising during the festive season, civic teams are focusing on high-risk items such as ghee, paneer and sweets to ensure unsafe or substandard products do not reach consumers.
During surprise inspections at sweet shops and food outlets, particularly in busy areas such as Maninagar, AMC officials are using rapid testing kits to check food items on the spot. Samples showing signs of adulteration are seized and sent to the AMC Food Health Laboratory in Navrangpura for detailed chemical testing.
Focus on Cheap and Synthetic Substitutes
Officials are keeping a close watch on the use of cheap synthetic substitutes and unauthorised additives that may be used to reduce production costs during the festive rush.
Vimal Shah, laboratory in-charge at the Navrangpura facility, said detailed chemical reports for collected samples are generally prepared within seven to eight days.
Strict Checks to Continue During Festivals
The AMC said inspections will continue throughout the festive season. Food business operators across Ahmedabad have been directed to follow food safety standards strictly, with violations inviting action.
The civic body has also advised residents to purchase sweets and dairy products only from reputed and licensed shops to reduce the risk of consuming adulterated food.