In the wake of a recent discovery regarding the use of substitutes instead of real cheese in burgers and nuggets at a McDonald’s outlet, Maharashtra state authorities have announced plans to conduct inspections at all global fast-food chain outlets for potential food regulation violations. According to Reuters, an official revealed that the state will scrutinize the promotion of non-cheese items falsely labelled as containing cheese, broadening its oversight following the crackdown by the state’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“We are planning to check all outlets of McDonald’s,” stated Abhimanyu Kale, the FDA chief. “We will also take action on other well-known and frequently visited global fast-food chain outlets,” he added, refraining from naming specific brands under investigation.
Saurabh Kalra, Managing Director of Westlife, the company overseeing McDonald’s operations in western and southern India, expressed openness to inspections, affirming their commitment to upholding the “highest standards.” However, news of the crackdown initially impacted the company’s shares, which dipped to Rs. 762 before recovering later.
The FDA had previously suspended the licence of a McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar, prompting the removal of the term “cheese” from various menu items. Although the licence was later reinstated, regulators alleged that McDonald’s had used cheese analogues without proper disclosure, potentially misleading consumers.
In response to the situation, Westlife Foodworld issued a statement ensuring compliance with food standards and ongoing collaboration with authorities. “Our commitment to transparency in our ingredients and dedication to providing delicious, high-quality meals to our customers remains unwavering,” the company emphasized.