Food Safety Teams Check 12 Establishments, Take Samples, Issue Notices
Improvement notices were issued by the VMC to seven units
Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) expanded its food safety enforcement drive to hospital canteens, with inspections across the city leading to notices for documentation lapses, unhygienic conditions and licensing violations at several food establishments.In the latest round of inspections, food safety teams checked 12 food business units, including restaurants, a food vending unit, canteens at hospitals and educational institutions, and an industrial canteen. Officials also took five food samples for testing and initiated action where deficiencies were detected.The inspections covered Atladara, Maneja, Harni-Warasiya Ring Road, VIP Road, Vrundavan Char Rasta, Ajwa Road, Waghodia Char Rasta and Javer Nagar.At Bankers Heart and Multispeciality Hospital on Harni-Warasiya Ring Road, officials found deficiencies in documentation at the hospital canteen and issued a Schedule-IV notice.At Pranayam Lung Hospital (Leo Hospitality and Beverages) on VIP Road, inspectors reported documentation deficiencies and unhygienic conditions at the canteen. A Schedule-IV notice was issued, and action was initiated to close the unit as it lacked the required licence or registration.The canteen at Marutinandan Boys Hostel on Ajwa Road was also inspected. Officials found documentation shortcomings and unhygienic conditions and issued a Schedule-IV notice.Samples of turmeric powder, chilli powder, toor dal, mawa and singoda were sent to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis.At Madhav Kathiyawadi Restaurant near Javer Nagar Char Rasta, officials found unhygienic conditions and the use of a prohibited synthetic food colour. A Schedule-IV notice was issued, and the establishment was fined Rs 20,000 in a joint action with the concerned ward authorities.The drive resulted in Schedule-IV notices being issued to four units and improvement notices to seven units. Authorities also initiated action against establishments found using prohibited colours and moved to close two units.Food businesses warned against impersonatorsVMC has warned food business operators about people allegedly posing as food safety officers and demanding money from establishments.According to the civic body, unidentified persons have been contacting restaurants, hotels, sweet shops and farsan outlets, claiming to be food safety officials and seeking payments.VMC advised food business operators not to make any payment in response to such calls or messages and to approach the nearest police station if anyone demands money while impersonating a food safety officer. The civic body has also cautioned operators against transferring money through online or other modes in response to such demands.
