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The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has launched a major food safety drive following the suspected food poisoning death of a five-year-old girl, inspecting 330 restaurants across the city within 24 hours. Officials found health and hygiene-related deficiencies at 208 establishments, issued notices and collected fines totalling Rs 4,70,500.
The girl died on August 17 after she and four family members allegedly fell ill following a meal ordered from Sheetal Restaurant in Surat. Food poisoning is suspected to be the cause of death, but a post-mortem report is awaited.
Following the incident, the SMC sealed Sheetal Restaurant after officials found lapses in cleanliness and kitchen hygiene. Samples of ready-to-eat food and raw materials from the restaurant were collected for testing, and an improvement notice was issued.
The civic body subsequently stepped up inspections across the city as part of its food safety drive. Officials inspected restaurants and other food establishments and took action against those found violating health and hygiene norms.
1,641 KG OF INEDIBLE AND SUSPECTED FOOD DESTROYED
Food Safety Officer B R Brahmbhatt said separate teams were formed for each of Surat’s nine municipal zones to carry out inspections. Of the 330 restaurants checked, 208 were issued notices for violations.
Officials destroyed 1,641 kg of inedible and suspected food items during the drive. Seventeen establishments were found to be violating Schedule 4 requirements and provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines. They were issued improvement notices and closed.
The violations included poor kitchen hygiene, unclean crockery, absence of grease chambers, inadequate food storage facilities and workers not having medical certificates.
Brahmbhatt said the civic body would continue inspections across restaurants and food carts, which are widespread in Surat because of the city’s food-cart culture. Samples are also being collected, and further action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act once laboratory reports are received.
FAMILY FELL ILL AFTER RESTAURANT MEAL
According to Medical Health Officer P H Umrigar, the family had ordered a vegetable dish from Sheetal Restaurant on the evening of August 15. All five members developed symptoms including vomiting the following morning.
They consulted a general practitioner on August 16 and were advised to be admitted to a hospital, but initially declined hospitalisation.
On August 17, the five-year-old girl lost consciousness and was taken to Sadvichar Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Her post-mortem examination is underway.
GUJARAT HEALTH MINISTER REVIEWS SITUATION
Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya took note of the incident and directed officials to ensure all necessary medical and administrative measures.
Pansheriya reviewed the situation through a video conference with District Health Officer Dr Anil Patel and SMC’s Dr Umrigar. He also spoke to doctors at Sadvichar Hospital about the condition of the four hospitalised family members and directed them to ensure proper treatment.
The minister also spoke to the deceased girl’s family over the phone, expressed his condolences and offered support.
The SMC’s special food safety drive will continue, with officials focusing on cleanliness, hygiene and compliance with food safety standards.
Officials said inspections will also intensify ahead of upcoming festivals, including Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami and Diwali, when consumption of sweets and other food products increases.
– Ends
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