Shocking !!! FDA slams fast food chain outlet for using fake cheese in productsÂ
Traders’ body seeks nationwide ban on McDonald’s over fake cheese incident
The fast food chain giant McDonald’s has come under the lens by the Maharashtra FDA for engaging in a cheesy deception by using fake cheese in its burgers and nuggets rather than real cheese nuggets.
Following this, the licence of a McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar has been suspended. It has further issued the outlet to remove the word cheese from various products containing cheese.
An action against McDonald’s Kadegaon outlet in Ahmednagar carried out in the month of October marked the beginning of the action against the outlet. The outlet received a show-case notice from the FDA; thereafter, it was found that the products included cheese substitutes.
To this end, McDonald’s appealed the action, but their explanation was found inadequate, after which the licence was suspended.
McDonald’s wrote a letter to the FDA saying they have renamed the products by removing the word cheese. Usually, cheese alternatives are made by replicating the texture, colour, and taste of traditional, real cheese.
The food regulator has therefore charged McDonald’s for misleading customers into believing that they are eating real cheese when alternative cheese is being used.
Alternatives have been found in a number of McDonald’s products.
FDA Commissioner Abhinanyu Kale said, During inspection, our officers did not find any mention of cheese analogues anywhere. Items like cheese nuggets, cheesy dip, and cheese burgers were being labelled as such without indicating that the cheese was a substitute.
McDonald’s India on the concerns raised by the authorities stated, “Regarding the recent reports on the removal of the word ‘Cheese’ from our menu at McDonald’s stores in Maharashtra, we want to reassure our customers that we use only real, quality cheese in all our products containing cheese. We are actively working with the relevant authorities on this matter. Our commitment to transparency in our ingredients and dedication to providing delicious, high-quality meals to our customers remain unwavering”.
