AMC Food Safety Drive: 148 Garba Stalls Checked in Ahmedabad

41 stalls were selling food without mandatory FSSAI registration. AMC registered them on the spot, tested 35 samples live and sent 6 more to the lab.

By Amdavad Gully News Desk

In short: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) inspected 148 food stalls at 15 garba venues this Navratri. Officials found 41 stalls operating without mandatory FSSAI registration and registered them on the spot. Of 41 food samples collected, 35 were tested on site and found safe. The remaining 6 were sent for detailed laboratory testing. AMC says checks will continue through the festival.

What happened at the garba grounds

You go to the garba ground for the dhol, the dandiya and the 11 pm snack run. This Navratri, the AMC’s food safety team showed up for that last part.

The civic body’s health department carried out food safety checks at 15 garba venues across Ahmedabad. Officials walked through the food courts and inspected 148 stalls selling everything from live-counter snacks to ice creams and cold drinks.

The biggest finding was not about the food itself. It was about paperwork. 41 stalls did not have the mandatory registration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Instead of shutting them down mid-festival, officials issued the registration right there at the venue.

The numbers at a glance

What the tests showed

Teams collected 41 food samples during the drive. Of these, 35 were tested on the spot, and all of them were found safe to eat.

The other 6 samples were sent for detailed testing. Results are awaited. AMC has not yet named the stalls or the food items involved. Amdavad Gully will update this story when the lab reports are out.

The civic body says officials will keep checking stalls through the rest of Navratri. The focus areas are food safety, hygiene, FSSAI registration and overall food quality.

Which Ahmedabad garba venues were inspected?

The drive covered big-ticket commercial events and community garbas alike. Gota saw the most checks, with five venues on the list. The east side was covered through Ramol, Vastral and Nikol.

The published list names 14 venues against the 15 reported in total. The 15th venue has not been named so far.

If your regular garba isn’t on this list, that doesn’t mean its stalls are unchecked. AMC has said inspections will continue for the rest of the festival.

Why FSSAI registration matters, even for a nine-day stall

Every food business in India needs either an FSSAI registration or an FSSAI licence. This includes small and temporary operators, such as a stall that runs only for nine nights of Navratri.

Small businesses usually need the basic registration. Larger operations need a state or central licence. Either way, the stall gets a 14-digit FSSAI number that it is expected to display.

The registration is more than a formality. It puts the vendor on the regulator’s record. That makes it possible to trace complaints, inspect the stall and take action if food goes bad.

Finding 41 unregistered stalls out of 148 means more than one in four stalls (about 28%) were operating outside the system. AMC chose to register them immediately rather than shut them, so the festival food courts kept running.

Part of a wider festive crackdown

The garba checks come amid a nationwide festive push on food safety, with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation health department leading enforcement in the city.

At the national level, FSSAI wrote to all states and Union Territories in late September asking for a special festive drive. The regulator listed milk products, sweets, namkeen, edible oil, ghee and beverages as items at higher risk of adulteration during the festive rush.

That list matters for garba nights. Kulfi, ice cream, live sweets, farsan and cold drinks are exactly what sells after midnight.

Before your next garba snack: a quick checklist

You don’t need a lab kit to eat smarter at the garba ground. A few seconds at the counter helps.

1. Look for the FSSAI number. Registered stalls should display a 14-digit FSSAI number. You can verify it on FSSAI’s FoSCOS portal.
2. Check the cold chain. Kulfi, ice cream, paneer and milk-based drinks should come from a working freezer or fridge. Skip anything soft, sweating or sitting in the open.
3. Watch the oil. Dark, thick, foamy frying oil is a sign it has been reused too many times.
4. Notice the hands and the water. Gloves or tongs, covered food and a clean water source are basic hygiene markers.
5. Avoid suspiciously bright colours. Very bright sweets or drinks can point to excess or non-permitted food colour.
6. Report what feels wrong. Complaints can go to the AMC health department or through FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect app.

None of this means garba food is unsafe. In this round, every one of the 35 samples tested on site passed. The point is simple: a little attention keeps a great night from ending badly.

FAQ: AMC food safety checks at Navratri garba venues

How many food stalls did AMC check at Ahmedabad garba venues?

AMC inspected 148 food stalls across 15 garba venues during Navratri 2026.

How many stalls did not have FSSAI registration?

41 stalls were found without mandatory FSSAI registration. AMC issued the registration on the spot.

Were any food samples found unsafe?

Of 41 samples collected, 35 were tested on site and found safe. Six samples were sent for further lab testing, and results are awaited.

Which areas were covered?

Venues in Gota, Chandlodia, Ghatlodia, Vastrapur, Vasna, Ramol, Vastral and Nikol were inspected. Gota had the most, with five venues.

Will AMC keep checking during Navratri?

Yes. AMC says checks on food safety, hygiene, FSSAI registration and quality will continue through the festival.

Does a temporary Navratri food stall need FSSAI registration?

Yes. Every food business in India, including temporary stalls, needs an FSSAI registration or licence.

How can I check if a food stall is FSSAI registered?

Look for the 14-digit FSSAI number on display and verify it on the FoSCOS portal.