Surat: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) destroyed 376 kg of inedible food and seized 182 kg of banned single-use plastic during a late-night enforcement drive across the city, recovering Rs 5.78 lakh in penalties and administrative charges.The health department’s teams inspected 1,170 establishments, primarily at evening food markets that witness heavy public footfall. The drive targeted vendors selling stale or unhygienic food, people dumping garbage in public places, and commercial establishments using or storing prohibited single-use plastic.During the operation, officials issued penalties to 616 violators and served 135 notices for various violations of food safety, sanitation and solid waste management norms.Civic officials said the drive was undertaken to protect public health, maintain cleanliness and enforce solid waste management rules. Similar surprise inspections will continue across the city to curb the sale of unsafe food and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
