New Delhi, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Food delivery platform Zomato has introduced a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of analogue dairy dishes by restaurants listed on its platform, following increased regulatory scrutiny over food safety and adulteration.
Under the new policy, Zomato said dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy products will be delisted immediately. Restaurants have been asked to shift to natural dairy products and, where an immediate transition is not possible, remove items containing analogue dairy from their menus.
The company has also directed its restaurant partners to review product labels and ingredient declarations supplied by vendors. The exercise is intended to ensure that ingredients used by restaurants are properly verified and that food items listed on Zomato accurately reflect what is being served.
Zomato CEO Aditya Mangla said the policy was aimed at protecting consumers while maintaining greater transparency over food offered through the platform.
“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,” Mangla said.
“This policy reflects that commitment, one we’re taking together with partners who share it,” he added.
Restaurants that fail to meet the company’s requirements could face removal from the platform, Zomato said.
The move comes amid intensified regulatory action over food safety and adulteration. Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took action against two food businesses following inspections that found food safety violations and non-compliance. The regulator suspended licences and issued prohibition orders concerning non-compliant ghee products and adulteration-related concerns.
Separately, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration imposed a one-year ban on the production, distribution and sale of artificial ‘analogue’ paneer, citing public health concerns.
The action followed laboratory testing in which more than 35 per cent of recent paneer samples examined in Maharashtra failed quality tests because of vegetable-fat adulteration. Hotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens were prohibited from using, preparing, serving or storing such artificial dairy substitutes.
Zomato said its latest policy is aligned with applicable regulatory requirements and forms part of its wider efforts to promote healthier food choices and improve transparency for customers.
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