Westlife Foodworld Ltd, the company behind a chain of McDonald’s restaurants in west and south India, has temporarily altered the names of menu items in Maharashtra due to concerns about the use of cheese substitutes in certain burgers and nuggets. The McCheese Burger is now known as the Cheddar Delight burger, Cheese Nuggets have been renamed Veg Nuggets, and the Cheese and Corn Burger is now called the American burger. Additionally, the Blueberry Cheesecake is now called the Blueberry Cake.
In the last quarter of the year, the Food & Drugs Administration in Maharashtra suspended the license of a McDonald’s outlet in Ahmednagar over claims that the McCheese burger did not meet local food standards. It was reported that the chain was using cheese substitutes without proper labeling for several menu items. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is yet to respond to inquiries from mint regarding this issue.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Westlife Foodworld Ltd, Saurabh Kalra, stated in a filing with the BSE on Friday that the company made the decision to temporarily change the names of certain products in Maharashtra to comply with regulations. Kalra mentioned, “In Maharashtra, we have modified the names of some products to ensure compliance, with the intention of reverting to the original names once we receive clarification.”
Westlife Foodworld asserts that it uses genuine, high-quality cheese in all products containing cheese and is actively working with authorities to address the issue. The company reassured customers by stating, “Despite recent reports of ‘Cheese’ being removed from our menu at McDonald’s locations in Maharashtra, we confirm that only authentic, high-quality cheese is used in all cheese-containing products.”
“By collaborating with suppliers who adhere to global standards, we ensure top-quality cheese in our products, not cheese analogues or substitutes. We are actively engaging with the relevant authorities on this matter and await their final clarification. We have always adhered to strict food standards and are fully compliant with all applicable food laws,” the company added.
Shares of Westlife closed 2.3% lower at 794 on the BSE on Friday in a relatively stable market.
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