Maharashtra's McDonald's cheese controversy sparks statewide crackdown on global fast-food chains

The authorities are focusing on potential violations of display and labelling rules, aiming to safeguard consumer interests and maintain transparency in product representations.

According to the report, Abhimanyu Kale, the chief of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration, revealed plans to extend scrutiny to various international fast-food chains operating within the state.

"We are planning to check all outlets of McDonald's. We will also take action on other well-known and frequently visited global fast-food chain outlets," he said.

Earlier, Westlife Foodworld, the franchisee operating McDonald's in western and southern India, faced criticism when state authorities alleged the use of vegetable oil-based cheese analogues instead of real cheese in some products.

Following a crackdown by the FDA, Westlife Foodworld cleared the air saying it uses only genuine cheese, which comes from "globally approved gold standard suppliers".

"You may have come across recent media reports concerning McDonald's allegedly using non-genuine cheese, as per Maharashtra FDA. We understand that such claims can be concerning, but we want to reassure you that these allegations are completely baseless and false," Westlife Foodworld Limited Managing Director Saurabh Kalra wrote to the company's employees.

Kalra asserted that the company adheres to the "highest standards" and welcomes the upcoming inspections.

The state authorities have the right to suspend licenses if restaurants are found to have breached food and safety regulations, particularly in misleading consumers.

According to Reuters, Westlife dropped the term "cheese" from the names of several products in December, opting for more generic descriptors like turning a "corn and cheese burger" to "American vegetarian burger."

As the second most populous state in India, Maharashtra holds significance for global fast-food brands due to its urban cities, including the financial capital Mumbai, which hosts around 100 McDonald's outlets.

The state government officials have not disclosed the specific brands being targeted, but the widened scrutiny is expected to have implications for various players in the Indian fast-food industry.