Maharashtra has clamped down on the fast-food giant McDonald’s. against McDonald’s, accusing the fast-food giant of deceptive practices by substituting real cheese with alternatives in burgers and nuggets. The license of a McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar has been suspended, leading the chain to remove the term “cheese” from several menu items. The FDA is urging McDonald’s to implement corrective measures across the state and potentially nationwide. Cheese alternatives, known as cheese analogues, aim to mimic the taste, texture, and properties of conventional dairy cheese.
The substitutes, reportedly found in various McDonald’s items, typically substitute milk or dairy fat with more affordable vegetable oil. The food regulatory body has accused McDonald’s of incorporating cheese analogues without proper disclosure on food labels or electronic display boards, potentially deceiving consumers into believing they are consuming real cheese. Abhimanyu Kale, the FDA commissioner, stated to the media, that the absence of such critical information is misleading and may have health consequences for consumers. “During inspection, our officers did not find any mention of cheese analogues anywhere. Items like ‘cheese nuggets’, ‘cheesy dip’, and ‘cheese burger’ were being labelled as such without indicating that the cheese was a substitute,” he said. “Most other fast food pizza and burger joints could be indulging in the same practice. We plan to investigate these chains as well.”