Gandhinagar, May 3: In a significant move, Gujarat officials have destroyed approximately 1,018 kilograms of suspicious cheese valued at around ₹183,000 as part of a statewide food safety inspection campaign. The initiative aims to prevent adulteration in dairy products and food items consumed during the summer months.
This action followed inspections of manufacturing units, restaurants, roadside eateries, and street vendors, where adulterated dairy products and cheese were discovered. Under food safety standards, any stock deemed unsuitable or suspicious was seized and destroyed on-site.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya stated that this enforcement campaign is part of the state’s ‘Food Purity Campaign,’ which saw inspections of 4,193 units across Gujarat in April. He mentioned that the campaign is being intensified following a review meeting with the Food and Drug Regulatory Authority.
The state government is fully committed to protecting citizens’ health and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy towards adulteration. Pansheriya emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against those selling adulterated products as dairy items, particularly those misrepresenting them as cheese.
During the inspections, officials collected 118 food samples for laboratory testing and issued notices to approximately 270 establishments for violations of food safety regulations. Further actions will depend on the results of the laboratory analyses.
In addition to the seized cheese, enforcement teams also sealed 18 establishments for serious violations of hygiene and food safety rules. Municipal corporations across the state collected over ₹284,000 in fines from violators during this campaign.
Given the rising consumption of seasonal beverages and street food, the inspection campaign has also expanded to include items such as sugarcane juice, mango juice, ice gola, and watermelon.
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