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Zomato Enforces Zero-Tolerance Policy on Analogue Dairy Dishes
Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy against analogue dairy products on its platform, delisting declared items and requiring restaurants to switch to natural dairy or face delisting. The move follows regulatory scrutiny and aims to enhance transparency and food quality, with CEO Aditya Mangla emphasizing commitment to customer health.
By Tertius News AI Desk7 distinct · 7 mastheads · 9 articlesVersion 4Coverage Published
Zomato Enforces Zero-Tolerance Policy on Analogue Dairy Dishes
Food delivery platform Zomato has introduced a strict policy banning the sale of analogue dairy dishes—products that replace traditional milk-based ingredients with cheaper substitutes like plant oils—on its platform. The announcement, made on Monday, includes the immediate delisting of dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy, according to multiple reports.
In a statement, Zomato said it will reserve the right to remove any listings found in violation. Restaurants are now required to take corrective action, including transitioning to natural dairy products or removing analogue-dairy items from their menus if an immediate switch is not feasible. They must also review product labels and ingredient declarations from suppliers to ensure accurate representation of items listed on the platform.
Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato, said: "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 company added that restaurant partners that remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform. Zomato also stated it has the right to recover any losses or damages incurred when non-compliant products are delivered to customers, as noted in its communication to merchants.
The policy is part of Zomato's broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency, consistent with regulatory requirements, the company said.
Background and Regulatory Context
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of food safety in India. Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took action against two food businesses after inspections found violations and non-compliance, suspending licences and issuing prohibition orders related to ghee products and adulteration concerns. In addition, 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. This followed laboratory findings that over 35% of recent paneer samples tested in the state failed quality checks due to vegetable-fat adulteration.
Analogue dairy products are defined as non-dairy alternatives where some or all milk constituents are replaced with non-milk ingredients. For example, analogue paneer can be made using vegetable oils, starches, plant proteins, and emulsifiers instead of milk fat. In April, FSSAI clarified that while such products can be sold if accurately labelled, selling or serving a cheese analogue as "paneer" violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Maharashtra's ban also prohibited hotels, restaurants, caterers, and cloud kitchens from using, preparing, serving, or storing artificial dairy substitutes.
Zomato's policy aligns with these regulatory actions, and the company said it is committed to ensuring that customers receive food that is accurately represented, safe, and meets expected quality standards.
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Framing: Zomato's ban on analogue dairy dishes and the choice given to restaurants to switch or delist — neutral and corporate
Facts Included:
Zomato has banned analogue dishes on its platform and delisted items declared to contain analogue dairy, asking restaurants to switch to natural dairy or remove such dishes.
Zomato, on Monday, introduced a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of analogue dishes by restaurants listed on its food ordering and delivery platform in India.
The company has also reserved the right to remove listings that violate the policy.
With immediate effect, Zomato has delisted dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy.
The company said the move is aimed at improving transparency and food quality for consumers.
Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato, said, “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.”
Under the policy, restaurant partners must take immediate corrective action by switching to natural dairy products.
If an immediate switch is not possible, they must remove items containing analogue dairy products from their menus.
Restaurants must also check product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure that products listed on Zomato accurately represent what is being served.
Restaurant partners that continue to remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform, Zomato said.
The policy is part of Zomato’s broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers, and is consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.
Zomato, launched in 2010 with a mission of “better food for more people,” operates as a restaurant search and discovery platform, as well as a food ordering and delivery platform.
Framing: Zomato's ban on analogue dairy dishes and the corrective action given to restaurants
Facts Included:
Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dishes, also known as synthetic or fake dishes by restaurants listed on its platform, reserving the right to remove any listing found in violation.
With immediate effect, dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy have been delisted from the platform, Zomato said in a statement on Monday.
The move is aimed at greater transparency and food quality, the company said.
Under the policy, restaurant partners have been asked to take immediate corrective action, including transitioning to natural dairy products or removing items containing analogue dairy from their menus if an immediate transition is not feasible.
Restaurants have also been asked to review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure accurate representation of products listed on Zomato.
Restaurant partners that remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform, the company said.
The policy builds on Zomato's broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: "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."
Framing: Zomato's ban on analogue paneer and its directive for restaurants to switch to dairy
Facts Included:
Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of dishes containing analogue dairy products on its platform, saying restaurants that fail to comply could be delisted.
With immediate effect, dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy have been removed from Zomato, the food delivery platform said in a release on Monday.
Under the new policy, restaurants have been asked to take corrective measures, including switching to natural dairy products and removing items containing analogue dairy from their menus where an immediate transition is not possible.
Zomato has also asked its restaurant partners to review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure that products listed on the platform are accurately represented.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: '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 company said restaurants that remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform.
Analogue dairy products are non-dairy alternatives in which some or all milk constituents are replaced with ingredients not derived from milk.
Analogue paneer, for instance, can be made using vegetable oils, starches, plant proteins, emulsifiers and other additives instead of milk fat.
In April, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) clarified that while analogue products can be sold when accurately labelled, selling or serving a cheese analogue as 'paneer', or listing dishes made with analogue products as paneer, violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Maharashtra subsequently announced a one-year ban on the manufacture and sale of artificial or analogue paneer, citing public health concerns.
Of these, 79 were classified as sub-standard and 30 as unsafe.
Framing: Zomato bans analogue dairy dishes and warns restaurants of delisting — neutral and corporate
Facts Included:
Zomato has announced a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of dishes made with analogue dairy products on its platform, saying restaurants found violating the policy could be removed from the platform.
The food delivery platform said the policy takes effect immediately.
Dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy have already been delisted from Zomato.
Zomato has asked restaurant partners to take immediate corrective action.
Restaurants have been advised to: Switch to natural dairy products; Remove dishes containing analogue dairy from their menus if an immediate switch is not possible; Review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers; Verify the ingredients being used and ensure that dishes are accurately represented on Zomato.
Restaurants that remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform, the company said.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said the company's focus is on ensuring food quality and transparency for customers.
“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.
He added that the policy was being implemented together with restaurant partners that share the company's focus on these standards.
Zomato said the policy is also consistent with its broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers, alongside applicable regulatory requirements.
The company did not provide details in the press note on the number of restaurants or dishes affected by the policy.
Framing: Zomato's ban on analogue dairy dishes following FSSAI scrutiny
Facts Included:
Zomato adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dairy dishes by restaurants listed on its platform with immediate delisting of dishes that partners have declared as containing analogue dairy after the food regulator FSSAI's action on several restaurants.
The company said the move is aimed at strengthening transparency and food quality for consumers, and warned that restaurants failing to comply with its requirements could be removed from the platform.
Under the new policy, restaurant partners have been asked to switch to natural dairy products.
Where an immediate transition is not possible, they have been directed to remove items containing analogue dairy products from their menus.
Restaurants have also been asked to review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure that products listed on Zomato are accurately represented.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: "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."
Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took regulatory action against two food businesses after inspections found food safety violations and non-compliance.
The regulator suspended licences and issued prohibition orders relating to non-compliant ghee products and adulteration concerns.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration banned the production, distribution and sale of artificial 'analogue' paneer for one year, citing public health concerns.
The action followed laboratory findings in which more than 35 per cent of recent paneer samples tested in the state failed quality tests due to vegetable-fat adulteration.
Hotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens were prohibited from using, preparing, serving or storing such artificial dairy substitutes, according to the state regulator.
Zomato said its policy is consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and forms part of its broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers.
Zomato adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dairy dishes by restaurants listed on its platform with immediate delisting of dishes that partners have declared as containing analogue dairy after the food regulator FSSAI's action on several restaurants.
The company said the move is aimed at strengthening transparency and food quality for consumers, and warned that restaurants failing to comply with its requirements could be removed from the platform.
Under the new policy, restaurant partners have been asked to switch to natural dairy products.
Where an immediate transition is not possible, they have been directed to remove items containing analogue dairy products from their menus.
Restaurants have also been asked to review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure that products listed on Zomato are accurately represented.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: "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."
Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took regulatory action against two food businesses after inspections found food safety violations and non-compliance.
The regulator suspended licences and issued prohibition orders relating to non-compliant ghee products and adulteration concerns.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration banned the production, distribution and sale of artificial 'analogue' paneer for one year, citing public health concerns.
The action followed laboratory findings in which more than 35 per cent of recent paneer samples tested in the state failed quality tests due to vegetable-fat adulteration.
Hotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens were prohibited from using, preparing, serving or storing such artificial dairy substitutes, according to the state regulator.
Zomato said its policy is consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and forms part of its broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers.
Zomato adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dairy dishes by restaurants listed on its platform with immediate delisting of dishes that partners have declared as containing analogue dairy after the food regulator FSSAI's action on several restaurants.
The company said the move is aimed at strengthening transparency and food quality for consumers, and warned that restaurants failing to comply with its requirements could be removed from the platform.
Under the new policy, restaurant partners have been asked to switch to natural dairy products.
Where an immediate transition is not possible, they have been directed to remove items containing analogue dairy products from their menus.
Restaurants have also been asked to review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure that products listed on Zomato are accurately represented.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: "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."
Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took regulatory action against two food businesses after inspections found food safety violations and non-compliance.
The regulator suspended licences and issued prohibition orders relating to non-compliant ghee products and adulteration concerns.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration banned the production, distribution and sale of artificial 'analogue' paneer for one year, citing public health concerns.
The action followed laboratory findings in which more than 35 per cent of recent paneer samples tested in the state failed quality tests due to vegetable-fat adulteration.
Hotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens were prohibited from using, preparing, serving or storing such artificial dairy substitutes, according to the state regulator.
Zomato said its policy is consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and forms part of its broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers.
Framing: Zomato's ban on analogue dishes and its plan to delist non-compliant restaurant partners
Facts Included:
Zomato announced a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dishes including analogue cheese, paneer or other dairy products by restaurants listed on its platform
Zomato reserves the right to delist non-compliant restaurants
Analogue dishes replace traditional ingredients with cheaper or alternative substitutes (like plant oils instead of real milk or cheese) while keeping the same look and feel
The move comes in the backdrop of renewed focus on food safety after a reported state-wide crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration in Maharashtra, and inspections by the FSSAI in five-star hotels in Delhi
With immediate effect, dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing 'analogue dairy' have been delisted from the platform
Restaurant partners that remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform
Zomato said in a communication to merchants: 'Our priority is to ensure that customers receive food that is accurately represented, safe and meets the expected quality standards.'
Zomato stated: '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'
Zomato said the initiative is being undertaken to strengthen transparency and food quality for its consumers, in line with food safety and regulatory requirements
Zomato stated: 'For the restaurants that have already declared the use of analogue cheese, analogue paneer or other analogue dairy products on their menu, such items will be turned off from the platform with immediate effect'
Zomato called upon restaurant partners to take immediate measures such as transition to natural dairy products, remove items containing analogue dairy products from their menu where transition is not immediately feasible, and review product labels and ingredient declarations
Zomato stated: 'If a restaurant is found to be non-compliant, Zomato reserves the right to delist such restaurants from the platform, in addition to taking any other action available to us under our policies and applicable law'
Zomato also reserves the right to recover any loss, cost, damage or expenses that the company may incur or suffer when non-compliant products are delivered to customers
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: '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 added: 'This policy reflects that commitment, one we're taking together with partners who share it.'
Framing: Zomato bans certain dishes on its platform with immediate effect
Facts Included:
Zomato has banned analogue dishes on its platform with immediate effect.
Dishes that restaurant partners have declared as containing analogue dairy have been delisted from the platform.
Zomato has a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dishes and reserves the right to remove any listing found in violation.
The move is described as a consumer-first step driven by Zomato's commitment to transparency and food quality.
Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said: '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.'
Zomato has asked restaurant partners to transition to natural dairy products, remove items containing analogue dairy if immediate transition is not feasible, and review product labels and ingredient declarations.
Restaurant partners that remain non-compliant will be delisted from the platform.
Zomato has reportedly shut down its customer support operations in Hyderabad, resulting in around 250 employees losing their jobs.
The shutdown is part of a restructuring exercise following changes in Zomato's customer support model over the past six months, with a larger share of work now outsourced to external partners.
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status is Contested when two claims on this page negate each other; otherwise it counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimZomato has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dairy dishes by restaurants listed on its platform.
ClaimRestaurants have been asked to review product labels and ingredient declarations provided by suppliers to verify the ingredients being used and ensure accurate representation of products listed on Zomato.
ClaimAditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato, said: "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."
ClaimZomato's policy is consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and forms part of its broader focus on healthier food choices and greater transparency for customers.
ClaimEarlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took regulatory action against two food businesses after inspections found food safety violations and non-compliance.
ClaimThe Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration banned the production, distribution and sale of artificial 'analogue' paneer for one year, citing public health concerns.
ClaimHotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens were prohibited from using, preparing, serving or storing artificial dairy substitutes, according to the Maharashtra state regulator.
ClaimZomato, launched in 2010 with a mission of "better food for more people," operates as a restaurant search and discovery platform, as well as a food ordering and delivery platform.
ClaimIn April, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) clarified that while analogue products can be sold when accurately labelled, selling or serving a cheese analogue as 'paneer', or listing dishes made with analogue products as paneer, violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
ClaimMaharashtra's enforcement drive between April 2025 and March 2026 found that 109 of 308 analysed samples, or 35.4%, failed to meet prescribed standards; of these, 79 were sub-standard and 30 were unsafe.
ClaimThe shutdown of Zomato's Hyderabad customer support operations is part of a restructuring exercise following changes in Zomato's customer support model over the past six months, with a larger share of work now outsourced to external partners.
7 distinct · 7 mastheads · 9 articles consulted: CNBC TV18, The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, India Today, Lokmat Times, The Hindu Business Line, The Times of India24 claims extractedVersion 4Written 2026-08-31