AMC Seizes 40,000 Kg of Suspected Substandard Mava in Ahmedabad Ahead of Diwali
The AMC Food Department seized about 40,000 kg of suspected substandard mava from a cold storage in Gomtipur ahead of Diwali. The stock, reportedly of Radhika Food Products, had no expiry date or batch number. Samples are under test.
Ahmedabad, October 28, 2026: The AMC seizes mava in a big festive-season crackdown. The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Food Department seized around 40,000 kg of suspected substandard mava from a cold storage unit in Gomtipur. The raid came just ahead of Diwali, when demand for sweets peaks across Gujarat.
Officials said the stock had no expiry date. It also had no batch number. Because of this, the department has started an inquiry to check whether the mava is safe to eat.
What exactly did AMC seize?
AMC seized about 40,000 kg of mava, also called khoa. Mava is made by slowly cooking milk until most of the water evaporates. It is the base for many Indian sweets, such as peda, barfi, gulab jamun and halwa.
According to officials, the stock reportedly belongs to Radhika Food Products. The firm makes sweets. Officials said it used this mava to prepare Indian desserts and Rajwadi sweets.
The missing labels are the main red flag. Without an expiry date, nobody can tell how old the mava is. Without a batch number, it is hard to trace where and when it was made.
Where did the raid take place?
The raid took place at a cold storage facility in Gomtipur, a busy area in eastern Ahmedabad. Gomtipur is known for cold storage units that hold dairy stock for the city's sweet makers.
Dr Tejas Shah of the AMC Food Department explained how the trade works. Traders in Gomtipur keep mava in cold storage and use it later to make sweets. He said around 15 to 20 traders together store more than 1 lakh kg of mava in these facilities.
In other words, the 40,000 kg seized in this raid may be a large share of the mava held in the area. That is why the department is now checking such facilities closely.
Why is AMC running checks before Diwali?
Diwali is the biggest season for sweet sales in Gujarat. Families buy sweets for puja, for guests and as gifts. As a result, demand for mava rises sharply.
High demand, however, also creates risk. Some sellers may stock up early, store mava for long periods, or mix it with cheaper ingredients. For this reason, food safety teams step up inspections every festive season.
The Gomtipur raid was one part of a wider drive. AMC teams also visited other locations in the city. They collected samples of sweets and farsan, the savoury snacks that are popular during Diwali. These samples have been sent for testing.
What happens next?
The next step depends on the lab results. Officials said further action will follow once the investigation and test reports are complete.
If the mava fails the tests, the matter may be taken up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Under this law, selling substandard or misbranded food can lead to heavy fines. Selling unsafe food can lead to stricter penalties. However, no final finding has been announced yet. Until then, the stock remains under seizure.
A wider crackdown on adulteration in Gujarat
This is not the only action against suspected food fraud this month. Just days earlier, on October 26, officials busted a fake Gir cow ghee unit in Junagadh and seized 500 kg of stock.
Together, these cases show a clear pattern. Ahead of festivals, enforcement teams are focusing on dairy products. Ghee, mava and paneer are high-value items, and they are often targeted by adulterators.
How can you check if mava is pure?
You can take some simple steps at home and at the shop. They do not replace a lab test. Still, they can help you avoid obvious problems.
- Check the label. Packed mava should show a manufacturing date, a best-before date and a batch number.
- Ask about loose sweets. FSSAI rules require shops to display a best-before date for loose sweets kept in trays.
- Do the iodine test. Boil a little mava in water and let it cool. Add a few drops of iodine solution. If it turns blue, starch may have been added.
- Check the smell and feel. Pure mava smells like milk. It should not feel rubbery, sour or overly greasy.
- Buy from trusted sellers. Choose shops with a valid FSSAI licence number on display.
- Avoid very cheap offers. A price far below the market rate can be a warning sign.
If you suspect adulteration, you can complain to the AMC Food Department. You can also report it through FSSAI's consumer channels.
Why this matters for Ahmedabad residents
Mava goes into almost every festive sweet. So, one bad batch can reach thousands of homes within days. Spoiled or adulterated mava can cause stomach infections, food poisoning and vomiting. Children and elderly people face greater risk.
That is why early checks matter. By acting before Diwali, AMC aims to stop doubtful stock before it reaches shop counters. For buyers, the message is simple: check labels, buy from licensed shops and stay alert.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Agency | AMC Food Department |
| Quantity seized | About 40,000 kg of mava |
| Location | Cold storage, Gomtipur, Ahmedabad |
| Firm named | Radhika Food Products (reportedly) |
| Main issue | No expiry date or batch number |
| Used for | Indian desserts and Rajwadi sweets |
| Mava stored in area | Over 1 lakh kg by 15–20 traders |
| Next step | Lab tests; action based on results |
Frequently asked questions
How much mava did AMC seize in Gomtipur?
AMC seized around 40,000 kg of suspected substandard mava from a cold storage facility in Gomtipur, Ahmedabad.
Why was the mava seized?
The stock had no expiry date and no batch number. Officials are now testing whether it is fit for human consumption.
Which company does the mava belong to?
The stock reportedly belongs to Radhika Food Products, a sweet manufacturing company.
What will happen to the seized mava?
It will stay seized while tests are done. Further action will depend on the investigation and lab results.
How can I test mava at home?
Boil a small amount in water, cool it and add iodine. A blue colour suggests added starch. For a full check, rely on a lab test.
Source: DeshGujarat
