Notices issued to 10 firms for running without license: Food department inspects canteen-mess of 13 educational institutions, hostels

Keeping in view the health and safety of students in Surendranagar city and surrounding areas, a special drive was recently organized by the Food and Drugs Department. In this 3-day special drive conducted from 29th September to 1st October 2026, surprise checks were conducted in the mess and canteens of educational institutions and hostels, which caused a huge rush among the managements. During the investigation, the department took a strict stand and issued notices to 11 firms running without food safety licenses. Apart from this, special notices were also issued to 10 firms for maintaining cleanliness and rectifying bills/receipts. Strict instructions were issued to the operators not following food safety norms and maintaining unhygienic conditions to maintain proper hygiene while cooking food and to ensure that food poisoning does not arise. During this special drive, a quantity of non-edible as well as perishable packaged food was seized from all the locations. A total of 50 kg of non-edible and unusable stock was destroyed on the spot. A total of 45 samples were taken by the Department of Food and Drugs which included ready cooked food, various spices, oils and cereals etc. which were sent to the laboratory for testing. After receiving the laboratory report, the department has assured that further legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules. This action has given a clear message that no administrator who tampers with the health of the students will be spared. Food and Drugs Department officials P.B. Savaliya, S.J. Prajapati inspected a total of 13 firms. These include 11 private trusts and 3 government institutions. The institutions inspected include Shri Vardhman Cottage Industries, Shri Ram Bhojanalaya, Swaminarayan Vidyalaya, C.U. Shah Medical College Canteen, C.U. Shah Hospital Canteen, Little Flower School, Visually Impaired Mahila Seva Kunj, Adarsh Residential School (Khamisana), Surendranagar Old Age Home Kadwa Patidar Kelavani Mandal, Jhalawar Seva Kadiyar Samaj Kelavani Mandal, Samast Kadoya Rajput Samaj Trust and Sahajanand Bhawan (Swaminarayan Mandir).