Rajkot: In an enforcement drive against food adulteration and unhygienic practices, the food department of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) health branch inspected 78 commercial food establishments, destroyed 33 kg of stale and expired food items, and issued regulatory notices to three outlets alongside penal administrative charges.Laboratory analysis carried out during routine surveillance checks declared five food samples collected from local dairies and eateries as “substandard” (failed). The civic body has initiated legal proceedings against all five establishments.Samples of loose paneer from Shree Amrut Dairy Farm and ice cream sold at Bajrangvadi Chowk failed quality tests due to milk fat levels below prescribed norms and the presence of foreign or vegetable fat. A loose paneer sample from Jay Dhareshwar Dairy Farm on Kalawad Road also failed due to deficient milk fat levels.A 500 ml packed jar of Cow’s Pure Ghee sold by Jalaram Ghee Depot on Mavdi Main Road was found to contain vegetable fat. Similarly, a loose pure ghee sample from Kanhaiya Dairy Farm near Aji Dam Chowkdi failed tests after the presence of foreign or vegetable fat and sesame (til) oil was detected.Food safety officers inspected 78 units across Rajkot and seized and destroyed 33 kg of stale, unhygienic and expired food items. At Das Department Store near Hanuman Madhi Chowk, 16 kg of expired farsan, chia seeds and sweets were destroyed, while samples of loose masala sev and methi puri were sent for testing. At Prabhavi Enterprise on Ramkrishna Nagar Main Road, officials destroyed 17 kg of spoiled food, including fungus-infested onions, stale refrigerated samosas and khaman, and collected samples of surti locho and coriander chutney.GJ 5 Sandwich & Pizza on Kalawad Road was issued a notice for unhygienic conditions, improper storage and licensing lapses, along with a Rs 5,000 administrative fine. Samples of loose butter and paneer were collected. National Chinese & Punjabi Restaurant on Jyoti Nagar Main Road was also issued a notice directing it to maintain hygiene and follow the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) food storage system.Ahead of the festive season, the health department has intensified enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Teams collected 49 surveillance samples of sweets and farsan from sweet shops, dairy farms, farsan marts and street food stalls for laboratory testing. They also inspected eateries, fast-food outlets and major Rasotsav and Garba venues across the city.
