The intensification of scrutiny on fast-food chains in Maharashtra has been prompted by recent media reports suggesting the substitution of authentic cheese with cheese alternatives derived from vegetable oil.
According to news agency Reuters, Maharashtra has decided to ramp up its inspection efforts on fast-food chains to ascertain whether items marketed as containing real cheese are indeed using cheese substitutes. This decision follows revelations in recent reports indicating the use of cheese alternatives in certain McDonald's offerings.
The scrutiny is not limited to McDonald's outlets but extends to other prominent global fast-food giants operating in the region, as mentioned by a senior official cited in the report.
The primary objective of these inspections is to ensure compliance with display and labelling regulations, specifically regarding the accurate depiction of cheese usage in food products.
Westlife Foodworld, the largest franchisee of McDonald's in India, has faced criticism regarding its cheese sourcing practices. Previous media reports suggested the potential use of cheese analogues derived from vegetable oil instead of genuine cheese in some McDonald's offerings.
In response to these concerns, Westlife Foodworld opted to remove the term "cheese" from the names of several products, rebranding them to reflect their ingredients accurately.
The market response to these developments was notable, with Westlife's shares witnessing a decline of up to 6.7 per cent, while Devyani's shares fell by 4 per cent on Tuesday.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration is gearing up to conduct inspections at all McDonald's outlets and other major fast-food chains to identify any similar violations.
Although specific brands targeted in the crackdown were not disclosed, sources suggest that Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's, and KFC outlets in Maharashtra are likely to undergo scrutiny.
Authorities retain the authority to suspend licences of restaurants found misleading consumers regarding food and safety standards. Despite the potential repercussions for these chains, Westlife Foodworld expressed confidence in its commitment to upholding high standards and welcomed the forthcoming inspections.
In a specific instance involving McDonald's, one outlet faced a temporary suspension of its licence over allegations of using cheese analogues in products advertised as containing authentic cheese. However, Westlife Foodworld successfully appealed the suspension, underscoring its dedication to using genuine cheese sourced from approved suppliers.
