Zomato bans analogue dairy dishes, warns of action against restaurants

Zomato has introduced a zero-tolerance policy against dishes containing analogue cheese, paneer and other dairy substitutes. The food delivery platform said such items have been delisted and warned that restaurants failing to comply with food quality and transparency requirements could face delisting

New Delhi: Food delivery aggregator Zomato on Monday announced a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of dishes containing analogue dairy products, including analogue cheese and paneer, by restaurants listed on its platform, saying it reserves the right to delist non-compliant restaurants.

Analogue dishes replace traditional ingredients with cheaper or alternative substitutes, such as plant oils instead of real milk or cheese, while retaining a similar look and texture.

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The move comes against the backdrop of renewed focus on food safety following a reported State-wide crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration in Maharashtra and inspections by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at five-star hotels in Delhi.

With immediate effect, dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy products have been delisted from the platform, Zomato said.

Restaurant partners that remain non-compliant will also be delisted from the platform, it added.

In a communication issued to merchants listed on the platform on Monday, Zomato said, “Our priority is to ensure that customers receive food that is accurately represented, safe and meets the expected quality standards.

“Accordingly, we are implementing a zero-tolerance policy on the listing and supply of food products containing analogue cheese, analogue paneer and other analogue dairy products on our platform.”

The food delivery aggregator said the initiative was being undertaken to strengthen transparency and food quality for consumers, in line with food safety and regulatory requirements.

“For restaurants that have already declared the use of analogue cheese, analogue paneer or other analogue dairy products on their menus, such items will be turned off from the platform with immediate effect,” Zomato stated.

It called upon restaurant partners to take immediate measures, including transitioning to natural dairy products; removing items containing analogue dairy products from their menus where such a transition is not immediately feasible; and reviewing product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure the accurate representation of products listed on Zomato.

“If a restaurant is found to be non-compliant, Zomato reserves the right to delist such restaurants from the platform, in addition to taking any other action available to us under our policies and applicable law,” Zomato stated.

Zomato also reserves the right to recover any loss, cost, damage or expense that the company may incur or suffer if non-compliant products are delivered to customers, it added in the communication.

Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato, said: “At Zomato, our core mission is better food for more people, and that means safeguarding customer health and upholding clear standards for what’s listed and served by our restaurant partners. This policy reflects that commitment, one we’re taking together with partners who share it.”