Food delivery platform Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy against analogue dairy products, including analogue paneer, cheese and other dairy substitutes, on its platform.

Under the new policy, dishes that restaurant partners have identified as containing analogue dairy products have been removed from Zomato with immediate effect. The company has also warned restaurants that continued non-compliance could lead to their removal from the platform.

The decision comes amid intensified food-safety enforcement in Maharashtra, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has taken strict action against the production and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer. Maharashtra had earlier imposed a one-year ban on the production, storage, distribution and sale of analogue/non-dairy paneer in the state.

Restaurants Asked to Switch to Natural Dairy

Zomato has instructed its restaurant partners to use natural dairy products wherever possible. If an immediate switch is not feasible, restaurants have been asked to remove dishes containing analogue dairy from their menus.

The company has also advised restaurant partners to verify product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers. This is intended to ensure that the ingredients actually used in food match the information displayed on the platform.

Zomato said it reserves the right to remove any restaurant listing found to be violating the policy. Non-compliant restaurant partners could ultimately be delisted from the platform.

Focus on Food Quality and Transparency

The move is aimed at strengthening food quality standards and providing greater transparency to customers about the ingredients used in the food they order.

Zomato CEO Aditya Mangla said the company’s priority is to provide better-quality food while protecting customer health and maintaining clear standards for food listed and served by its restaurant partners.

The development comes at a time when food safety authorities are stepping up inspections and enforcement measures against adulteration and mislabelling across the food-service sector. Recent action by Maharashtra FDA has included inspections and suspension of licences of food establishments found violating safety norms.