Zomato Announces Zero-Tolerance Policy on Analogue Cheese and Paneer, Threatens Non-Compliant Restaurants With Delisting
Zomato announced a zero-tolerance policy on analogue dairy products like fake paneer and cheese. Non-compliant dishes are removed immediately, and restaurants face delisting and financial penalties. CEO Aditya Mangla stressed customer safety. Restaurants that fail to comply with the mandate face strict punitive measures.
Food delivery aggregator Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dishes - including analogue cheese, paneer, and other dairy substitutes - by restaurants listed on its platform, warning that non-compliant businesses face permanent delisting.Analogue dishes replace traditional ingredients with cheaper alternatives, such as plant oils instead of real milk or cheese, while maintaining a similar appearance and texture.
The decision follows a renewed regulatory focus on food safety, driven by a statewide crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration in Maharashtra and recent inspections by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at five-star hotels in Delhi, reports PTI. Zomato Layoffs: 250 Jobs Cut as Hyderabad Support Unit Shuts Down.
Immediate Platform Actions and Guidelines
Under the new directives, dishes that restaurant partners have already declared as containing analogue dairy have been turned off and removed from the platform with immediate effect. In a communication issued to merchants, Zomato emphasized the necessity of strict transparency and quality control: "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 company has urged its restaurant partners to transition immediately to natural dairy products, remove uncompliant items from their menus where a transition is not feasible, and thoroughly check supplier labels and ingredient declarations. Zepto Warehouse Sealed in Bengaluru Over Food Safety Violations; Zomato Facility Inspected (See Pics).
Penalties and Leadership Stance
Restaurants that fail to comply with the mandate face strict punitive measures. Zomato reserves the right to delist non-compliant partners and recover any financial losses, costs, or damages incurred if unauthorized items are delivered to customers. Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato, elaborated on the core objectives behind the policy: "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."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2026 06:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).