Food safety officials in Jaipur have issued a stern warning to a McDonald’s outlet after a surprise inspection uncovered serious hygiene lapses, including 40 litres of repeatedly reused cooking oil deemed unfit for human consumption and around 40 kg of rotten tomatoes stored in the cold room.
The raid, conducted on February 9 at the outlet in Gaurav Tower—a popular spot in Rajasthan’s tourist-heavy capital—revealed the oil had turned extremely dark from overuse, with total polar compounds (TPC) levels exceeding safe limits (reportedly up to 31% in some samples, well above the 25% threshold that can produce harmful compounds linked to health risks like heart disease and cancer). Officials destroyed the contaminated oil on the spot and ordered immediate replacement with fresh stock. Samples were seized for lab testing, and the spoiled tomatoes were also disposed of.
Government food safety officer Sushil Chotwani confirmed the violations breached norms, leading to a formal warning. The outlet has been given 14 days to rectify the issues or face stricter penalties, including potential fines or closure. Authorities plan to extend inspections to other McDonald’s locations in Jaipur to ensure compliance.
McDonald’s franchise operator for North and East India, Connaught Plaza Restaurants, stated it is fully cooperating with regulators and adheres to “rigorous McDonald’s global standards.” A U.S. spokesperson did not immediately respond to queries.
While food adulteration cases are common in India, lapses at big international chains like McDonald’s are uncommon and draw quick attention. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent hygiene in fast-food outlets, especially in high-traffic tourist areas where customer trust is key. McDonald’s remains hugely popular across India with hundreds of outlets serving burgers, fries, and more to eager crowds.