Zomato on Monday announced a zero -tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dishes including dairy products by restaurants listed on its platform, saying that it reserves the right to remove any listing found in violation of its policy. It also said restaurant partners must take corrective action and non-compliant players will be delisted from its platform.
Analogue dishes especially analogue dairy products such as paneer and butter is made with cheaper alternatives such as edible oils instead of real milk, while offering the same texture and look.
“With immediate effect, dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy have been delisted from the platform. The move is a consumer-first step, driven by Zomato’s own commitment to transparency and food quality,” it noted. This comes at a time when the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as well as State FDAs have been cracking down on various violations. At the same time, Maharashtra FDA has banned sale, manufacture and storage of analogue paneer in the State for a year.
Zomato said that restaurant partners must take immediate corrective actions such as transitioning to natural dairy products and remove items containing analogue dairy products from the menu, in case an immediate transition is not feasible. It also said that restaurant players should review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure accurate representation of the products listed on Zomato.
“Restaurant partners that remain non -compliant will be delisted from the platform. This policy builds on Zomato’s broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements,” it added.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, 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.”