In a major drive to safeguard public health, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) launched a surprise inspection blitz targeting panipuri stalls and their production units across the city's eastern zones on Tuesday. This decisive action comes in the wake of a typhoid outbreak in neighbouring Gandhinagar city and alarming viral social media videos showing questionable preparation practices.
Widespread Inspections Uncover Hygiene Lapses
Health officials from the AMC conducted thorough checks on a total of 152 panipuri carts and production units spread over three zones in eastern Ahmedabad. The inspections revealed significant gaps in maintaining basic hygiene standards. As a result, official notices were issued to 90 vendors and unit operators for failing to comply with cleanliness norms.
The crackdown led to the immediate destruction of a substantial amount of contaminated material. Authorities seized and destroyed 544 kilograms of unhygienic food items and 428 litres of liquid that were deemed unfit for public consumption. Additionally, a total penalty of Rs 21,000 was collected on the spot from the violators.
Trigger: Viral Videos and Disease Prevention
The drive was significantly prompted by several videos that circulated widely on social media platforms. These videos allegedly showed some production units in east Ahmedabad preparing panipuris in the open, dangerously close to flowing sewage water. To proactively prevent waterborne diseases, the AMC also distributed chlorine tablets to 939 panipuri carts as a preventive measure to ensure the water used is safe.
AMC officials stated that the objective is to ensure stringent cleanliness at these food points and to shut down production where necessary. The corporation is taking these steps to eliminate potential breeding grounds for infections, especially after the nearby typhoid cases.
Strict Warnings and Ongoing Vigilance
The health department has issued a stern warning, noting that strict legal action will be initiated against repeat offenders who compromise public safety. Vendors have been explicitly instructed to use only filtered water and maintain sanitised preparation surfaces at all times.
The AMC has announced that these surprise inspections will continue throughout the week. Failure to comply with the updated safety protocols will result in severe consequences, including the immediate cancellation of vending licenses and the permanent seizure of equipment. This sustained effort underscores the civic body's commitment to preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring food safety for Ahmedabad's residents.
