Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Zomato Bans Analogue Dairy Dishes, Threatens Noncompliant Restaurants
Zomato is a platform where people order food from restaurants.
It now says restaurants cannot list dishes made with analogue cheese, paneer or other dairy substitutes.
Analogue dairy looks and feels like regular dairy but uses ingredients such as plant oils, fats, starches or plant proteins.
Restaurants may use these substitutes because they can cost less and last longer.
Zomato has already removed dishes that restaurants said contained analogue dairy.
Restaurants must use natural dairy instead or take the affected dishes off their menus.
They must also check supplier labels and make sure their menu descriptions are truthful.
Restaurants that do not follow the policy may be removed from Zomato.
The decision came as food-safety authorities increased scrutiny of these products, although the articles note that not every analogue dairy product is banned nationwide.
Zomato immediately delisted dishes that restaurants had declared as containing analogue cheese, paneer or other dairy products.
Restaurants must switch to natural dairy or remove affected dishes if an immediate change is not feasible.
Partners must verify supplier labels and ingredient declarations so menu descriptions accurately match the food served.
Non-compliant restaurants may be delisted and face additional action under Zomato policies or applicable law.
The policy follows increased food-safety scrutiny, including Maharashtra enforcement activity and inspections by FSSAI in Delhi hotels.
- Who
- Zomato, its restaurant partners and CEO Aditya Mangla.
- What
- Zomato introduced an immediate zero-tolerance policy against listing or supplying dishes containing analogue cheese, paneer or other analogue dairy products.
- When
- The policy was announced and took effect on Monday, August 31, 2026.
- Where
- Across Zomato's Indian delivery platform; the reports also referenced regulatory activity in Maharashtra and Delhi.
- Why
- Zomato said the policy is intended to safeguard customers, improve food transparency and quality, and align with food-safety and regulatory requirements.
Zomato's Platform Standard
Regulatory and Product Nuance
Whether declared analogue dairy should remain listed
Zomato's Platform Standard
Zomato says even dishes that disclose their use of analogue dairy should be removed, applying one zero-tolerance standard across its platform.
Regulatory and Product Nuance
The articles note that analogue products are not automatically unsafe and that national rules recognise some categories when substitutes are properly named and disclosed.
How customers should be protected
Zomato's Platform Standard
Zomato says removing these dishes and requiring supplier-label checks will improve transparency, food quality and customer protection.
Regulatory and Product Nuance
The reports say customers may receive different fats, proteins and nutritional value from genuine dairy unless restaurants clearly identify the substitutes.
Responsibility for compliance
Zomato's Platform Standard
Zomato places responsibility on restaurants to verify ingredients, correct menu descriptions and switch to natural dairy or remove affected dishes.
Regulatory and Product Nuance
The broader regulatory approach described in the articles focuses on accurate naming and disclosure, while restaurants may use substitutes because they are cheaper and have a longer shelf life.
- Policy
- Zero tolerance for listing and supplying food containing analogue cheese, paneer or other analogue dairy products on Zomato.
- Immediate delistings
- Dishes that restaurants had declared as containing analogue dairy were removed or turned off immediately.
- Restaurant requirements
- Restaurants must transition to natural dairy or remove affected dishes where an immediate transition is not feasible.
- Ingredient checks
- Restaurants must review supplier labels and ingredient declarations and ensure their menu descriptions accurately represent the food served.
- Enforcement
- Non-compliant restaurants may be delisted and may face other action under Zomato policies or applicable law.
- Possible cost recovery
- Zomato said it may recover losses, costs, damages or expenses linked to deliveries of non-compliant products.
- Regulatory context
- The move followed reported enforcement activity in Maharashtra and FSSAI inspections at five-star hotels in Delhi; the articles also cited temporary restrictions on analogue paneer in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.
- Product definition
- Analogue dairy imitates conventional dairy using some or all non-milk ingredients, including plant oils, fats, starches or plant proteins.
Sources
Zomato bans analogue dishes on its platform, to delist non-compliant restaurant partners
Zomato cracks down on ‘Fake’ paneer and cheese on its platform
Zomato anounces zero-tolerance policy for analogue dishes, will delist non-compliant restaurant partners
Zomato Bans Analogue Cheese, Paneer And Dairy Products, Warns Restaurants Of Delisting
Zomato bans analogue cheese, paneer and dairy products from platform
What is analogue dairy? Zomato bans such dishes to ‘safeguard customer health’ and ‘uphold clear standards’
Zomato Delists Analogue Paneer Dishes Across India Amid Intensifying Food Safety Scrutiny
Zomato bans analogue dairy dishes on platform, threatens delisting restaurant
