'Gold standard suppliers': McDonald's reacts to FDA accusations of using fake cheese

“We pride ourselves on our rigorous standards for food safety and quality control, which meet and often exceed regulatory requirements,” Kalra added.

“Our cheese comes from globally approved gold standard suppliers, known for their impeccable quality standards. We and our suppliers are fully compliant with all applicable food laws.”

He further stated that the company was proactively engaged with the concerned authorities over this matter and doing everything possible to resolve the current situation.

“In the meantime, I ask for your continued support and understanding. I request you to share this forward and help us bust these myths. We will sail through this together, knowing that the foundation of our business—quality and transparency—stands firm,” Kalra added.

Maharashtra FDA earlier found some of McDonald's outlets serving an alternative of cheese, also called 'cheese analogues', in a few products, including burgers and nuggets.

Cheese analogues are essentially designed to replicate the flavour and consistency of conventional dairy cheese, frequently substituting more affordable vegetable oil for dairy fat.

According to reports, the licence of the fast food chain's outlet in Ahmednagar was suspended after an investigation found that it was using cheese analogues or proprietary foods instead of cheese.

“We got some complaints and feedback from customers that McDonald's and other food chains should declare the ingredients in their food items in a proper manner on menu cards and display boards... In our inspection, we found out they were using cheese analogues or proprietary foods instead of cheese. After observations, the outlets were closed by inspectors,” NDTV Profit quoted Maharashtra FDA's commissioner Abhimanyu Kale as saying.

Later, Westlife, in a statement, noted that only "genuine, high-quality cheese" is used in all its cheese-containing products.

“We are actively engaging with the competent authorities on this issue and awaiting their final clarification,” it added.