Rajkot RMC seals 3 food outlets, destroys 179 kg of stale food in safety drive
Synopsis
Rajkot's civic body inspected 92 food outlets in a single drive, sealed three, destroyed 179 kg of stale food, and issued notices to 33 establishments — including outlets allegedly using synthetic colours and non-food-grade chemicals. With 15 lab samples still awaited, the final compliance picture could be starker than the numbers already suggest.
Key Takeaways
The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) conducted a citywide food safety drive on 24 July , covering 92 establishments .
Three outlets — Shri Khodiyar Chutney, Rajni Namkeen, and Mahadev Nasta House — were sealed during the drive.
Approximately 179 kg of stale and inedible food was destroyed across multiple premises.
Notices were issued to 33 establishments for storage, licensing, and hygiene violations; administrative charges of ₹51,500 were recovered.
15 food samples were collected under the FSSAI Act and sent for laboratory analysis; results are pending.
Shri Khodiyar Chutney was allegedly found using synthetic food colours and non-food-grade chemicals in sauce preparation.
The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) sealed three food establishments, destroyed approximately 179 kg of stale and inedible food, and collected 15 samples for laboratory analysis during a sweeping citywide food safety enforcement drive on 24 July, targeting adulteration, unhygienic handling, and licensing violations across Rajkot, Gujarat.
Scale of the Enforcement Drive
The RMC Health Branch Food Department inspected 92 food establishments and restaurants across multiple localities as part of a structured surveillance campaign. Notices were issued to 33 establishments for deficiencies related to storage, food licences, and hygienic conditions. Administrative charges totalling ₹51,500 were recovered during the operation.
Three Establishments Sealed
Shri Khodiyar Chutney was sealed after inspectors found that synthetic food colours, non-food-grade substances, and chemicals were allegedly being used in the preparation of sauces. An administrative charge of ₹2,000 was imposed and samples of loose fruit squash, date chutney, and green chutney were collected for analysis.
Rajni Namkeen, located in the Vavdi Industrial Area, was sealed after officials destroyed an estimated 90 kg of stale farsan and other inedible items on the premises. A hygiene notice was issued and a charge of ₹5,000 was levied.
Mahadev Nasta House, near Bhimnagar Chowk on Nana Mava Road, was sealed after around 20 kg of inedible food was destroyed. The establishment received notices for hygienic conditions and licensing violations, with an administrative charge of ₹3,000 recovered.
Food Destroyed at Other Outlets
Beyond the three sealed premises, enforcement teams destroyed food at several other establishments. Approximately nine kg of inedible food was destroyed at Celebration Restaurant on University Road and five kg at Satvam Restaurant. Around 10 kg of coconut khaman and jelly crystals were destroyed at M.S. Super Market on Khodiyarnagar Road, while 20 kg of printed farsan stock was destroyed at Patel Farsan Namkeen on Nandanvan Main Road. Two kg of kokum chutney were also destroyed at Bapa Sitaram Alupuri Khavsa.
Notices for Licensing and Hygiene Violations
A large number of establishments were issued notices for operating without valid food licences, including Yadunandan Hotel, Balaji Pan and Cold Drinks, Mahalaxmi Pan and Cold Drinks, Patel Pan and Cold Drinks, Nikunj Pan and Cold Drinks, Baba Pan and Cold Drinks, Jalaram Cold Drinks, Harikrupa Provision Store, Shri Chamunda Store and Kirana Bhandar, Vijay Hotel, Khodiyar Dal Pakwan, Shri Ganesh Cold Drinks, Khodiyar Dairy, Khodiyar Pan, Krishna Medical, Pujara Namkeen, Chamunda Provision Store, Ashapura Samosa, Amba Bhavani Namkeen, Jalaram General Store, and Shri Kevalam Khamanwala, among others.
Hygiene notices were served to Bapa Sitaram Alupuri Khavsa, Ghanshyam Pan, Maitri Season Store, Sadguru Sandwich, Kumar Pan, and Savariya Ice Gola. Pramukham Dosa and Mahi Food Products received notices for improper storage and inadequate labelling, while Gayatri Dairy Farm was flagged for selling sweets without production or use-by dates alongside licence violations.
Food Samples Sent for Lab Testing
The 15 samples collected under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act included eight samples from an MDM Kitchen opposite Shastri Maidan — covering prepared food, spices, and gram — two samples of loose farsan from Mahi Food Products, two milk samples from Shri Krishna Dairy Farm in Mavdi, one milk sample from Bajrang Dairy and Farsan, one loose mixed milk sample from Shri Kailash Dairy Farm, and three loose condiment samples from Shri Khodiyar Chutney. Results are awaited. The RMC has stated that the drive will continue as part of its ongoing mandate to strengthen compliance with food safety regulations citywide.
Point of View
Three sealings, and alleged use of non-food-grade chemicals in condiments — points to a systemic gap in routine food safety oversight, not just isolated lapses. The fact that a large number of establishments were operating without valid FSSAI licences suggests that licensing enforcement has been intermittent at best. Lab results for the 15 collected samples will be the real test: if adulteration is confirmed, the RMC will face pressure to move beyond administrative fines toward criminal referrals under the Food Safety and Standards Act. One-off enforcement drives generate headlines; what Rajkot's food ecosystem needs is a credible, continuous inspection calendar.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Rajkot Municipal Corporation find during its food safety drive?
The RMC inspected 92 food establishments on 24 July and found widespread violations including stale food, unhygienic conditions, missing licences, and alleged use of synthetic colours and non-food-grade chemicals. Three outlets were sealed, 179 kg of inedible food was destroyed, and notices were issued to 33 establishments.
Which food outlets were sealed in Rajkot's food safety drive?
Three establishments were sealed: Shri Khodiyar Chutney, for allegedly using synthetic food colours and non-food-grade chemicals; Rajni Namkeen in Vavdi Industrial Area, where 90 kg of stale farsan was destroyed; and Mahadev Nasta House near Bhimnagar Chowk, where 20 kg of inedible food was destroyed.
How much was collected in administrative fines during the Rajkot food drive?
The RMC recovered administrative charges totalling ₹51,500 across the establishments inspected. Individual charges ranged from ₹2,000 at Shri Khodiyar Chutney to ₹5,000 at Rajni Namkeen and ₹3,000 at Mahadev Nasta House.
What food samples were collected and when will results be available?
Fifteen samples were collected under the FSSAI Act from multiple outlets, including prepared food, spices, gram, farsan, milk, and condiments. The samples have been sent for laboratory testing; results have not yet been announced by the RMC.
Why are so many Rajkot food outlets operating without licences?
A large number of establishments — including multiple pan shops, cold drink stalls, dairies, and provision stores — were found operating without valid FSSAI food licences and issued notices. The RMC has stated the drive is part of ongoing enforcement to curb non-compliance, suggesting that routine licence verification had not been consistently carried out prior to this campaign.
