McDonald's removes 'cheese' from its outlet menus in Maharashtra

Move comes after Maharashtra FDA accused chain of using cheese substitutes in burgers and nuggets

Westlife Foodworld, which runs McDonald’s stores in west and south India, has changed the names of eight products after the Maharashtra Food & Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licence of its Ahmednagar outlet and accused the quick-service restaurant chain of using substitutes in burgers and nuggets instead of real cheese.

The outlet’s licence was suspended in November and a suspension order was issued after, prompting the chain to remove the word "cheese" from various items on the menu.

It has changed the names of Cheesy Nuggets to Veg Nuggets, Mc Cheese Veg Burger to Cheddar Delight Veg Burger, McCheese Non-Veg Burger to Cheddar Delight Non-Veg Burger, Corn & Cheeseburger to American Veg Burger, Grilled Chicken and Cheeseburger to American Non-Veg Burger, Blueberry Cheesecake to Blueberry cake, Cheese Italian Veg Burger to Italian Veg Burger, and Cheese Italian Chicken Burger to Italian Chicken Burger.

These changes have been made in the last one month across its stores in Maharashtra.

According to a source from the Maharashtra FDA, a regular inspection is going on at other quick service restaurant outlets and a report will be submitted to authorities in due course.

In a stock exchange filing, Westlife Foodworld said, “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.”

“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," it said.

In a conversation with Business Standard, Saurabh Kalra, managing director Westlife Foodworld, said that the issue surfaced in the October-December quarter and the outlet at Ahmednagar is still operational.

“We have changed the name of our products which have cheese a month ago and we are working with the authorities and with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). From our standpoint, we are in the right, but to make sure the business is continuing we have changed the name of our products from the Maharashtra FDA standpoint,” Kalra said.

Westlife Development is awaiting confirmation from the FSSAI and will then go back to the state FDA.

“We are a global player and source from the best suppliers,” Kalra said, rejecting claims that the company uses vegetable oil-based cheese.

The company has decided to name some of its products Cheddar Delight as per the cheese it uses. It also does not expect any further issues to arise at its other stores as it has already changed the name of its food products which have cheese to comply with the new norms.

“We are abiding by all the rules and norms by the government,” Kalra added.