Rajkot: In a major food safety crackdown, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) seized nearly 2,000 kg (2 tonnes) of rotten and inedible almonds from an illegal processing unit near Madhapar Chowkdi, raising serious concerns over public health. Officials suspect the spoiled almonds were being sliced and supplied for use in popular summer products such as gola, ice cream, shrikhand, sweets, and other desserts.

The raid was carried out by the Food Department at Heer Enterprise in the Yogi Industrial Area on Jamnagar Road. During the inspection, officials found large quantities of pest-infested and rotten almonds being processed and chopped inside the factory. The entire stock, estimated to be worth around Rs. 12 lakh, was declared unfit for human consumption and destroyed on the spot under legal provisions to prevent it from entering the market.

Officials said the unit had been operated for the past five to six months by Pradeep Dudhatra. During questioning, authorities found that despite running a large-scale business, the firm allegedly did not possess a food licence or GST registration.

2,000 kg Rotten and Inedible Almonds Seized in Rajkothttps://t.co/Hni7PQ02Ar pic.twitter.com/rLfgTerYAa

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Samples of the loose almonds have been collected under the Food Safety and Standards Act and sent for laboratory analysis. Legal action will be initiated after the test reports are received.

Designated Officer Dr. Hardik Meta said the firm supplied chopped almonds to Rajkot city and nearby districts and talukas. Since dry fruits are widely used during summer in products such as ice cream, lassi, shrikhand, dry-fruit desserts, and gola, authorities are investigating whether such material had entered the food chain.

He added that consumption of contaminated products could potentially lead to health issues, including stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and intestinal infections. Authorities said they would also collect samples from locations where the products had been supplied. DeshGujarat