McDonald's cheese products verified as '100% real' following scrutiny in India

McDonald's India recently faced scrutiny from the Maharashtra FDA (Food and Drug Administration) over the alleged use of cheese substitutes in its burgers, prompting calls for a nationwide ban from the CAIT (Confederation of All India Traders). 

 

However, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has now provided a clean chit, verifying McDonald’s India's cheese as ‘100% real’. 

 

The FSSAI's confirmation explicitly states that McDonald’s India products do not contain any cheese analogues or substitutes, reassuring consumers of the authenticity of their ingredients.

 

Additionally, results from NABL-accredited lab tests further support the use of 100% real cheese across McDonald’s Indian products. Rigorous testing, conducted twice-yearly by independent NABL-accredited labs, ensures compliance with stringent standards. Even preceding the recent media coverage, the brand's cheese had already undergone and passed the evaluations as of September 2023.

 

McDonald’s India has maintained they strive to prioritise and source authentic ingredients from globally recognised suppliers, ensuring food quality—remaining resolute in using the term 'cheese' in its product names, and reaffirming dedication to transparency and consumer trust.

 

Saurabh Kalra, managing director, McDonald's India (W&S), said, “The clean chit we have received from FSSAI, India’s apex food safety standards regulator, affirms that our products contain 100% real cheese, sourced from globally renowned suppliers. The recent tests conducted by NABL-accredited labs also validate this, and the fact that our products do not contain any cheese analogues or substitutes. Since the inception of our operations in 1996, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to the highest levels of food quality. We assure our customers and stakeholders that all our products are crafted with genuine, quality ingredients without any compromises whatsoever.”