Zomato Food Safety: New Rules for Restaurant Partners

According to Zomato’s announcement, the food delivery platform has decided to ban analogue dairy products, such as cheese, paneer, or butter. Additionally, Zomato has requested its restaurant partners make the switch to actual dairy products, or eliminate those items from the menu altogether. The decision comes in light of the food safety concerns raised in India.
This decision has attracted widespread attention in trending news today. After the announcement of the food safety authorities of India about the regulation of analogue dairy products.

According to Zomato’s press release, all foods containing analogue dairy products indicated by their restaurant partners have been removed. The company also warned of the ability to remove any listing against the new policy implemented.
According to Zomato, this decision is aimed at ensuring the customers receive food that corresponds to its description and quality expectations.

Zomato also provided the restaurant partners with a list of the items to follow. Among the items are the following that are to be offered to the restaurants. Switch to using the genuine dairy products where possible, etc.

Remove any items from the menu that contain analog dairy if it is not possible to transition quickly.
Check the labels of suppliers’ products and the lists of ingredients to determine the exact information. It is about the used ingredients in recipes.

The company advised that restaurants not complying with the rules could be eliminated from the platform.

Why is Zomato Doing This?

Zomato stated that the main focus of the new policy is consumers, underlining food quality, transparency and health of customers. CEO Aditya Mangla stressed that the company’s aims are to provide better food for a larger number of people. While providing transparent requirements for all restaurants listed on the platform.
The company explained that the policy corresponds to other regulatory laws and its commitment to healthy food.

What Does Analog Dairy Mean?

Analog dairy refers to food that is made to imitate dairy products but has either all or part of its composition from vegetable oil, starches, plant proteins and emulsifiers. The most common types are analog paneer and analog cheese which are similar to dairy products in taste and appearance. But not in composition and nutritional content.

Compliance with Food Safety Enforcement Begins to Have Input

Zomato’s announcement comes after the introduction of food safety authorities’ stricter regulations related to the dairy industry in various states. The Food and Drug Administration of Maharashtra has begun a huge campaign against businesses operating in the food supply chain for violating food safety laws. Also, Punjab imposed restrictions on the production of similar paneer and the usage of this product as a substitute for regular paneer.

Zomato now has a food safety policy in place. It is to ensure that food items made in accordance with food safety laws will no longer appear on restaurant menus and food service providers’ lists.