Ahmedabad: The Food Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has issued Improvement Notices to 27 food business units across the city for non-compliance with food safety norms related to the handling and use of cooking oil.

The action followed inspections conducted on Wednesday across various wards, focusing on establishments that consume more than 50 litres of cooking oil per day, as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Why the notices were issued

According to FSSAI guidelines, repeated heating of cooking oil increases Total Polar Compounds (TPC). Once TPC levels exceed 25%, the oil becomes unsafe for human consumption and can lead to heart diseases and liver-related ailments.

FSSAI requires large food business operators (FBOs) using 50 litres or more of cooking oil daily to:

• Ensure the TPC level of used oil does not exceed 25%.

• Maintain a daily register tracking oil consumption and reuse.

• Hand over used cooking oil (UCO) to authorised agencies engaged in biofuel production, preventing its reuse in food preparation.

AMC’s action

During inspections, AMC officials identified multiple violations across the 27 units, including poor record maintenance and unsafe handling of used oil. Consequently, Improvement Notices were issued under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, directing all units to comply with the norms within seven days.

Here is the list of units that have been served notices by the civic body: