The Maharashtra FDA on Friday reportedly accused fast food major McDonald's of deception by using cheese substitutes in burgers and nuggets instead of real cheese, and suspended the licence for an Ahmednagar outlet, as per news reports. According to reports, the action has resulted in McDonald's removing the word 'cheese' from their menu in several locations, with the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) requesting that the fast food chain remove the term cheese from its menu throughout India.

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In response to these allegations, PTI reported that the McDonald's franchise for West and South India said that it is working with "competent authorities" in the wake of reports that the Maharashtra FDA is taking action against it for using cheese substitutes in its products.

Hardcastle Restaurant, a subsidiary of Westlife Foodworld Ltd, has franchisee rights to own and operate McDonald's restaurants in India's western and southern markets.

A statement from McDonald's India (West & South) shared on BSE by Westlife Foodworld said, "We are actively engaging with the competent authorities on this issue and awaiting their final clarification. We have always been adhering to stringent food standards and are fully compliant with all applicable food laws."

"Amid recent reports about the removal of 'Cheese' from our menu at McDonald's locations in Maharashtra, we want to assure our valued customers that only genuine, high-quality cheese is used in all our cheese-containing products," the statement added.

It further said, "Collaborating with suppliers adhering to global standards ensures top-quality cheese in our product offerings and not cheese analogues or any substitute." 

McDonald's India (West & South) said, "Our commitment to transparency in our ingredients and dedication to providing delicious, high-quality meals to our customers remain unwavering."

CAIT demands immediate ban on McDonald's operations nationwide

In wake of the alleged health violations at a McDonald's outlet, in Ahemadnagar, the Confederation of All India Traders ( CAIT) has demanded that the government impose complete ban on business operations of McDonald countrywide as the "egregious act not only constitutes a serious offence but also poses a significant health hazard to consumers."  

The trade body said in a statement, "In light of this alarming discovery, CAIT National President B C Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal urgently calls upon Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India Rohit Kumar Singh and FSSAI to take immediate action to ban McDonald's operations across the country. It is imperative to halt McDonald's activities nationwide as there is a possibility of similar counterfeit raw materials being used in other locations, posing a risk to public health."

"CAIT demands a thorough investigation into this matter to uncover the extent of the issue and hold responsible parties accountable for endangering public health and safety. Such fraudulent practices cannot be tolerated, and stringent measures must be implemented to ensure the integrity of food products served to consumers," the statement said. 

"The health and well-being of citizens are paramount, and CAIT urges swift action from the authorities to address this pressing concern. We stand firm in our commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring transparency and accountability in the food industry," the trade body added.