Surat: A day after nearly 100 children at the P P Savani hostel suffered food poisoning, the Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) food safety department conducted an inspection drive across institutional kitchens and canteens across the city on Monday.The inspections focused on food preparation and serving practices, including the quality of raw materials, storage and handling of cooked food, kitchen infrastructure, cleanliness and overall hygiene. Officials also checked the health status of staff involved in cooking and serving food to minimise the risk of contamination.A total of 31 canteens attached to hostels and educational and healthcare institutions were inspected. The facilities covered included those at Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Kiran Hospital, diamond units, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), the Akshaya Patra Foundation kitchen, New Civil Hospital, Govt Medical College, P P Savani School in Abrama, Adarsh Nivasi Shala in Sarthana and Veer Narmad South Gujarat University.During the drive, officials collected 38 food samples for laboratory testing and seized around eight kilograms of food considered unsafe for human consumption.As part of immediate corrective measures, staff at the inspected facilities were instructed to follow basic food safety protocols, including wearing caps, gloves and aprons while preparing and serving food. Organisations running these food services were also directed to ensure regular medical examinations of kitchen and serving staff, with health checks to be conducted every six months.The inspection drive comes amid heightened concern following the P P Savani hostel incident. Authorities have indicated that mass food service facilities will be monitored more closely to prevent similar food poisoning incidents.
