Ahmedabad: The Food Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has executed a major drive across various city zones to ensure food safety. Between February 1 and February 6, 2026, authorities inspected hundreds of food business units, leading to the seizure of massive quantities of contaminated cashews and the identification of several substandard food items.

One of the most significant actions took place at Abhinandan Trading, located in Kathwada GIDC (Shed Nos. A/17 and A/18), owned by Chiragkumar Mohanbhai Thakkar.

The unit was found processing second-grade cashews sourced from various states. These were being sorted and heated to be sold as whole or broken cashews in the market. Additionally, the unit was using cashew powder for cattle feed without any proper documentation or evidence.

During the inspection, officials found approximately 3,000 kg (3 tons) of cashew pieces and powder infested with a large number of insects.

The unit was operating without a valid FSSAI license or registration. Consequently, the AMC sealed the facility under the PMC Act and seized the entire 3-ton stock. Legal proceedings are being initiated against the owners in court under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Substandard Food Samples Identified

During this six-day period, the AMC declared four specific food samples as substandard following laboratory analysis:

• Kachi Ghani groundnut oil: Collected from a shop in Dhanlaxmi Complex, Vejalpur.

• Packaged drinking water (Oxyka): Sampled from Shilp Epitome in Thaltej.

• Panipuri water: Collected from Mahakal Pakoda Center in Vastrapur.

• Khaman: Sampled from Veer Khaman House in Chandkheda.

Unsafe Paneer and Administrative Penalties

The crackdown also highlighted serious safety concerns regarding dairy products and bottled water:

• Unsafe paneer: A sample from Laxmiba nu Rasodu in Bapunagar was tested at the Referral Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad and declared “substandard + unsafe,” leading to the filing of a court case against the operator. Similarly, paneer from Bhagwati Foods in Sarkhej was also declared substandard.

• Heavy fine: SS Beverages in Kubernagar, the manufacturer of ‘Oxyka’ packaged water, was slapped with an administrative charge of ₹50,000 after its samples failed to meet safety standards.

Furthermore, from February 1 to February 6, 2026, the Food Department inspected a total of 332 food business units, collected 165 food samples, and issued 130 notices as part of its enforcement drive. During this period, authorities also disposed of an estimated 255 kg/litres of unsafe food, recovered ₹2,52,500 in administrative charges, and conducted 87 TPC (Total Plate Count) tests to monitor food safety standards across the city.

The AMC has announced that it will continue its intensive inspection drive in the coming days, focusing on sweets, namkeen, milk products, bakery items, edible oils, and prepared foods in hotels and restaurants. Officials warned that any unit found operating without a license or registration will face strict action, including immediate closure and sealing of premises. DeshGujarat