McDonald’s, a global fast food giant renowned for its burgers, is currently embroiled in a controversy with the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has accused the company of substituting real cheese with alternatives in its burgers and nuggets, according to recent media reports.
The Maharashtra FDA has leveled allegations of deceptive practices against McDonald’s, claiming that the company does not use authentic cheese in the food items served to customers. As a result, the license of a McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar has been suspended, and the burger joint has been compelled to remove the word “cheese” from its menu at various locations. The Maharashtra FDA has also demanded that McDonald’s remove the term “cheese” from its menu nationwide.
This regulatory action stems from an inspection conducted at McDonald’s Kedgaon branch in Ahmednagar, which initiated the investigation in October 2023. During the inspection, the Maharashtra FDA purportedly discovered cheese substitutes in several McDonald’s products, replacing dairy ingredients with more economical vegetable oil. The FDA alleges that McDonald’s failed to disclose the use of these cheese analogues properly on food labels or electronic display boards, thereby misleading consumers about the nature of the ingredients.
Among the McDonald’s menu items implicated in this controversy are cheesy nuggets, McCheese veg burger, McCheese non-veg burger, corn and cheese burger, cheesy Italian veg, and blueberry cheesecake. The Maharashtra FDA issued a show cause notice to McDonald’s in response to these findings.
In response to the accusations, the company reportedly informed the FDA in December 2023 that they had renamed certain products by removing the word “cheese” from their names. They also provided letters from their cheese suppliers confirming the authenticity of the cheese used in their products. Additionally, the parent company of McDonald’s India, Westlife Foodworld Limited, issued an official statement asserting that only genuine, high-quality cheese is utilized in all cheese-containing products. They emphasized their commitment to collaborating with suppliers adhering to global standards to ensure the quality and authenticity of their ingredients.
The controversy surrounding the company alleged use of cheese substitutes underscores the importance of transparency and accurate labeling in the food industry. As the investigation unfolds, consumers will be watching closely to see how McDonald’s addresses these allegations and upholds its commitment to quality and authenticity in its food offerings.