Surat: Ahead of the festive season, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified inspections of food outlets across the city, with the food department stepping up checks to ensure compliance with hygiene and food safety standards.The inspection drive comes in the wake of the food-poisoning death of a five-year-old girl after she consumed food from a restaurant, putting health authorities under increased pressure to maintain strict surveillance of food establishments.“The ongoing drive was launched five days ago and will continue throughout the festive season. Food outlets are being encouraged to strictly follow the prescribed guidelines,” said an official from the SMC‘s food department.On Tuesday, officials inspected 89 food outlets, of which 41 establishments were issued notices after shortcomings related to hygiene and infrastructure were found. They were directed to address the deficiencies on priority and take immediate corrective measures.As part of the drive, officials also collected 34 food samples from various outlets for laboratory testing. In addition, 15kg of food deemed unfit for consumption was destroyed.Enforcement action was also taken against establishments found violating prescribed food safety standards, with authorities collecting fines totalling Rs 1 lakh during the day’s inspections.SMC has indicated that the intensified checking will continue through the festive season to prevent the sale of unsafe or substandard food.
