Rajkot: In a stringent legal strike against food adulteration, a municipal court has handed down severe punishments to two food business operators, sentencing them to rigorous imprisonment and imposing heavy fines for using prohibited synthetic dyes in their dishes.

Unsafe Samples at ‘GJ3 Dosa Corner’

The legal action was initiated after food safety officers inspected a local eatery named “GJ3 Dosa Corner”. Laboratory analysis of the food samples revealed the presence of a banned “pink dye” in the establishment’s sambar. Furthermore, samples of their chutney tested positive for prohibited synthetic dyes in both pink and orange colors.

Rajkot: Court Sentences Two Eatery Owners to 6 Months Rigorous Imprisonment for Using Banned Food Dyes https://t.co/wLIPSXvqlb pic.twitter.com/Sx9IQp5mAg

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Due to the presence of these restricted chemicals, the food items were officially declared “unsafe” for public consumption, prompting the Food Safety Officer to register a criminal prosecution case in the municipal court.

The Court’s Verdict and Sentences

Following the prosecution proceedings, Judge Gaglani delivered the verdict, finding the operators guilty of violating Section 59 and other relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), 2006.

• GJ3 Dosa Corner: The owner was sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment and slapped with a fine of ₹50,000. The court mandated that a failure to pay this fine would result in an additional two months of rigorous imprisonment.
• Dwarkadhish Hotel: In a parallel prosecution, the court sentenced the operator of “Dwarkadhish Hotel” to six months of rigorous imprisonment alongside a much heavier fine of ₹2,00,000. If the ₹2 lakh fine is not paid, the convict will be subjected to an additional six months of jail time.

An “Exemplary” Precedent

Authorities have hailed the judgment as an “exemplary” case in the fight against food adulteration. By enforcing the maximum penalties provided under the Food Safety and Standards Act, the judge has set a strict legal precedent, serving as a stern warning to all food business operators who compromise public health through dangerous adulteration practices. DeshGujarat