200 hostel kitchens, messes inspected in Gujarat; 10 shut

Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad/Surat: Gujarat’s Food and Drugs Control Administration has launched a statewide special drive to check food quality and hygiene at hostel kitchens and canteens after around 100 students fell ill at a school hostel in Surat. As of Monday, officials had inspected 200 hostels and canteens across the state, including 47 govt-run, 21 semi-govt and 132 private facilities. The inspections led to 61 improvement notices being issued and 114 food samples being collected for testing.

Ten hostel kitchens and canteens voluntarily shut down after officials found serious hygiene and sanitation deficiencies. In another case, the licence of a food establishment was suspended, the health department said.

An official statement said the special drive was ordered by health minister Praful Pansheriya after food poisoning was reported at P P Savani school hostel in Surat’s Abrama area on Sep 13. The state govt subsequently directed officials to intensify checks on food quality, hygiene and sanitation at hostel kitchens and canteens across Gujarat.

The inspections are aimed at identifying shortcomings in food handling, preparation and storage, and assessing overall hygiene at facilities serving students and other residents.