What if you were told that the extra cheese that you ask to be added to your burger or other dishes isn’t exactly cheese but its substitute? Quite a bummer isn’t it? Well, the Maharashtra FDA cracked down on a McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar for using cheese substitutes in their burgers and nuggets instead of actual, real cheese. The authorities have suspended the licence of the outlet which had led to the food joint removing the word ‘cheese’ from several items on its menu. Now, McDonald’s, however, has denied using substitute cheese in its products. Here’s a lowdown on the entire ordeal.
Maharashtra FDA Suspends McDonald’s Licence In Ahmednagar
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has caught a McDonald’s outlet using cheap vegetable oil in burgers and nuggets instead of real cheese. The outlet is located in Kedgaon, Ahmednagar. The FDA has suspended their licence due to allegedly using cheese substitutes without proper disclosure. Since the crackdown, McDonald’s has removed the word “cheese” from several items at the location. However, the FDA has asked the food giant to “extend the corrective action state and nation-wide.”
According to the Maharashtra FDA, the McDonald’s outlet was using cheese analogues without disclosure in their food. These are basically cheese alternatives that are designed to bring a cheese-like taste, texture, and functionality to a dish.
In October 2023, a team of Maharashtra FDA inspected the McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar. During their inspection, they found that about eight items on their menu contained cheese analogues. The authorities had sent a notice to McDonald’s demanding an explanation. However, they weren’t satisfied with the provided evidence and explanation, therefore decided to suspend the outlet’s licence.
According to an interview with Times of India, FDA commissioner Abhimanyu Kale said, “Omission of such crucial details is outright misleading for consumers and could have health implications.”
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McDonald’s Denies Claim Despite Removing ‘Cheese’ From Many Items
These actions against McDonald’s started in October 2023. In December 2023, they wrote to Maharashtra FDA and mentioned the removal of ‘cheese’ from several items on their menu. The renewed menu, without the word ‘cheese’ was seen at several outlets in Maharashtra. However, in a recent statement, McDonald’s claimed that they “use only real, quality cheese in all our products containing cheese.” To reassure their customers further, the statement mentioned that McDonald’s is “actively working with the relevant authorities on this matter.” They even shared letters from their cheese suppliers to back their claims.
Here’s what McDonald’s has to say about the current ordeal, “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. Collaborating with suppliers adhering to global standards ensures top-quality cheese in our product offerings and not cheese analogues or any substitute. 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. Our commitment to transparency in our ingredients and dedication to providing delicious, high-quality meals to our customers remain unwavering.”
We hope the air around this entire ordeal is cleared soon and people can safely eat what they’re paying for!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & FDA Maharashtra
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