Fast food giant McDonald’s is facing a crackdown by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for allegedly deceiving customers at its Ahmednagar outlet by using substitutes instead of real cheese in burgers and nuggets. The FDA has suspended the license of the outlet, prompting McDonald’s to rename various dishes by replacing the word "cheese."
This move follows a thorough inspection that revealed the use of cheese analogues – alternatives designed to replicate the taste, texture, and functionality of traditional dairy cheese.
The substitutes, reportedly identified in several McDonald's items, involve replacing milk or dairy fat with cost-effective vegetable oil, according to a report by the Times of India.
The FDA accused McDonald’s of misleading customers by failing to disclose the use of cheese analogues on food labels and electronic display boards. FDA Commissioner Abhimanyu Kale told ToI, emphasising the importance of clear labelling, stating, "During inspection, our officers did not find any mention of cheese analogues anywhere. Items like 'cheese nuggets,' 'cheesy dip,' and 'cheeseburger' were being labelled as such without indicating that the cheese was a substitute."
This incident has prompted the FDA to consider investigating other fast-food chains for similar practices. Commissioner Kale expressed concerns that other establishments might be engaging in comparable deceptive practices and plans to extend the probe to other chains in the region.
"Most other fast-food pizza and burger joints could be indulging in the same practice. We plan to investigate these chains as well."
The FDA's action against McDonald's began in October with an inspection of its Kedgaon branch in Ahmednagar. Following the discovery of cheese analogues in at least eight items, a show-cause notice was issued to the fast-food giant. Despite McDonald's contesting the allegations, the FDA deemed their explanation unsatisfactory, leading to the suspension of the outlet's license.
In response to the FDA's actions, McDonald’s wrote to the regulatory body in December, stating that they had replaced the word "cheese" in their menu. However, when contacted by the Times of India on Thursday, McDonald’s denied using any substitutes or analogues.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s India reassured customers, telling ToI, "Regarding the removal of the word ‘cheese’ from our menu at McDonald’s stores in Maharashtra, we want to reassure our customers that we use only real, quality cheese in all our products containing cheese. We are actively working with the relevant authorities on this matter."
As the controversy unfolds, the FDA is pushing McDonald’s to implement corrective actions not only in Maharashtra but potentially on a national scale. The regulatory body is advocating for clear labelling of substitutes, addressing allergen and diet concerns, and providing detailed nutritional information on display boards.
The investigation into McDonald's has raised broader questions about the transparency of ingredient information in the fast-food industry, prompting the FDA to consider a wider examination of practices in other chains.
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