Zomato cracks down on synthetic dairy products, threatens restaurant delisting

Zomato has begun enforcement of strict food safety protocols, instructing partner restaurants to verify ingredient labels and remove synthetic dairy products from their offerings. The platform has warned establishments that failure to comply could result in delisting from its services, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The initiative reflects mounting pressure from food safety regulators who have increasingly scrutinized the use of analogue or substitute dairy products in restaurant operations. Authorities have expressed concerns that such items—which often mimic the appearance and texture of genuine dairy but contain alternative ingredients—are frequently not clearly labelled to consumers.

Restaurants using the platform have been given specific timelines to audit their menus and remove non-compliant items. Zomato's move signals a shift toward stricter self-regulation within the food delivery sector, as major players seek to address regulatory gaps and maintain consumer trust amid heightened food safety awareness.

The action aligns with broader efforts by Indian food safety authorities to standardize labelling requirements and prevent misleading product descriptions. Industry observers note that similar compliance measures are likely to be implemented across other major delivery platforms as regulatory scrutiny widens.