Regulators flag rotten tomatoes at McDonald's India

Anabelle Colaco
15 Feb 2026, 07:48 GMT+10

Food safety authorities in India have issued a warning to a McDonald’s outlet in Jaipur after inspectors found cooking oil deemed unfit for consumption and rotten tomatoes in storage, an official said
During an inspection at the outlet in Jaipur, a major tourist destination in Rajasthan, officials discovered 40 litres of cooking oil that had been repeatedly used and was considered unsuitable for consumption
The findings breached food safety regulations, and "officials collected oil samples for further testing," Chotwani said

NEW DELHI, India: Food safety authorities in India have issued a warning to a McDonald's outlet in Jaipur after inspectors found cooking oil deemed unfit for consumption and rotten tomatoes in storage, an official said.

During an inspection at the outlet in Jaipur, a major tourist destination in Rajasthan, officials discovered 40 litres of cooking oil that had been repeatedly used and was considered unsuitable for consumption, government food safety officer Sushil Chotwani told Reuters.

The findings breached food safety regulations, and "officials collected oil samples for further testing," Chotwani said.

A spokesperson for McDonald's in the United States did not respond to queries outside regular business hours.

Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which operates McDonald's franchises in North and East India, said it was cooperating with food safety authorities and was "strictly compliant" with their guidelines, while also adhering to "rigorous McDonald's global standards."

Chotwani said the outlet had been issued a warning and given 14 days to correct its practices or face further "strict" action.

Officials would "inspect more McDonald's outlets in the city," he added.

Food adulteration cases are frequently reported in India, though safety violations at high-profile brands such as McDonald's are relatively uncommon.

McDonald's is among India's most popular restaurant chains, operating hundreds of outlets nationwide and drawing customers with its burgers and other menu offerings.