Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s (VMC) food safety department has ordered the closure of a retail food unit in Subhanpura after officials found unhygienic conditions during an inspection and collected samples of suspected substandard food products for laboratory testing.The action was taken against Anantrai & Grandsons (Das Pendawala), a retail food unit in Subhanpura. During the inspection, officials collected samples of suspected adulterated cashew-based savoury items and kesar prasadi pedas. The premises were also found to be unhygienic, prompting the civic body to issue a Schedule-4 notice for non-compliance with prescribed good hygiene practices and initiate closure proceedings.The food safety team inspected food establishments across TP-13 Chhani, Navayard, areas near Chhayapuri railway station, Bhayli, Subhanpura and Novino-Tarsali Road.A total of 20 food-related establishments, including hotels, vendors, catering units, restaurants and retail outlets were inspected. Four suspected food samples were collected and sent to the public health laboratory for testing.Besides the Subhanpura unit, Schedule-4 notices were issued to other establishments, including Ambika Caterers in Navayard and a BigBasket warehouse near Chhayapuri railway station, for non-compliance with food safety requirements.The civic body also conducted enforcement drives under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) around educational institutions. Food business operators found selling pan products, tobacco and cigarettes within the prohibited zone were fined.
