Ahmedabad: AMC’s health and food department has stepped up food safety inspections across hotels, restaurants and other food establishments over the past eight months, leading to a sharp rise in food sample collection and the detection of more violations.Between Jan and Aug 2025, the department collected 2,966 food samples, of which 86 failed quality tests, resulting in a failure rate of 2.9%. During the corresponding period this year, up to Aug 17, authorities tested 5,704 samples and found 247 to be non-compliant, pushing the failure rate to 4.3%.The department collected 2,738 more samples in the first eight months of 2026 than during the same period last year, marking a 92.3% rise in sampling.Recent inspections led to the sealing of multiple food establishments. On Aug 17, AMC sealed Om Shakti The Restaurant in Naroda after gravy samples tested positive for synthetic food colours. Officials said consumption of such colours can trigger allergies, skin ailments and affect liver and kidney function.On the same day, Mumbai Misal Vada Pav in Jagatpur was sealed after tests found the total polar compound (TPC) level in cooking oil at 31.5%, exceeding the permissible limit of 25%. Repeated heating of cooking oil increases harmful compounds, and prolonged consumption of oil with high TPC levels can contribute to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and liver disorders.Following Gujarat govt‘s Aug 6 ban on the production and sale of analogue paneer, AMC intensified checks on dairy products. On Aug 17, it sealed Khodiyar Dairy Farm and Shri Kailas Dugdhalaya in Naranpura after inspections revealed the use of analogue paneer. Earlier, on Aug 11, three other units were sealed after laboratory reports confirmed that paneer samples collected from their premises were imitation paneer.The department also targeted roadside food vendors. Between May 1 and May 18, it collected 184 panipuri samples from stalls and carts across the city. Tests found prohibited food-grade colouring agents in 34 samples, prompting authorities to seize and confiscate the carts involved. Officials warned that consumption of non-permitted food colours can cause gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhoea and vomiting.
