Zomato Implements Zero-Tolerance Policy on Analogue Dairy Products

Food delivery aggregator Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy regarding the sale of analogue dishes, including analogue cheese, paneer, and other dairy substitutes, by restaurants listed on its platform. The platform has stated that it reserves the right to delist non-compliant restaurant partners.

Analogue dishes typically replace traditional ingredients with cheaper or alternative substitutes, such as plant oils instead of real milk or cheese, while maintaining a similar appearance and texture. The policy change follows a renewed focus on food safety driven by a state-wide crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra and inspections by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Delhi five-star hotels.

With immediate effect, Zomato has turned off items from its platform that restaurant partners have previously declared as containing 'analogue dairy'. Restaurant partners that remain non-compliant face being delisted from the platform entirely.

In a communication issued to merchants, Zomato emphasized its focus on transparency and food quality. "Our priority is to ensure that customers receive food that is accurately represented, safe and meets the expected quality standards," the company stated. The aggregator added that the initiative aligns with food safety and regulatory requirements.

Zomato has instructed restaurant partners to take immediate corrective measures. These include transitioning to natural dairy products, removing items containing analogue dairy from menus where immediate transition is not feasible, and reviewing product labels and ingredient declarations from suppliers to verify ingredients and ensure accurate representation on the platform.

Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato, stated, "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."

In addition to delisting, Zomato stated it reserves the right to take further action under its policies and applicable law. The company also maintains the right to recover any loss, cost, damage, or expenses incurred if non-compliant products are delivered to customers.

"Zomato's strict stance on analogue dairy products highlights the growing regulatory and consumer emphasis on transparency within the food tech sector. As food safety authorities tighten inspections, aggregators must proactively enforce quality standards to protect consumer trust. For restaurant partners, this development underscores the critical need for accurate ingredient labelling and strict compliance to avoid severe business penalties, including platform delisting." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes