India’s top restaurant aggregator and food delivery company, Zomato has got entangled in a new controversy over selling “fake” paneer to restaurants on Hyperpure, its B2B service. A recent social media post has stirred an online debate around the company’s principles.
The viral post
The post shared by X user Sumit Behal elaborated, "India loves paneer dishes and restaurants sell fake paneer made with vegetable oils without any disclaimer. They made you believe that you are eating healthy food by eating varieties of paneer dishes over junk food This is being sold on website of Zomato for restaurants.”
This post has raised concerns among netizens about using adulterated, synthetic, or "fake" paneer. Though the product is labelled "Analogue Paneer" on the Hyperpure website, in one listing it has been mentioned as “made from Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Oil” and remarked as "Milk fat is replaced with vegetable fat.”
What is analogue paneer?
Analogue paneer is a synthetic paneer that is used as a substitute for traditional paneer using cheaper, non-dairy ingredients. While real paneer is prepared by curdling fresh milk with lemon juice or vinegar, this 'fake' paneer contains vegetable fats, starches etc.
On Zomato Hyperpure, one listing for analogue paneer states that it is made of “made from Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Oil” and that its “Milk fat is replaced with vegetable fat.”
Analogue paneer is cheaper and an obvious choice for restaurants but it is a cause of heart disease. Naturally, if the product is supplied by Zomato, it is a breach of customer trust.
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Netizens disappointed with Zomato
"Disappointing to see this being a vegetarian. I'll stick to home food now," remarked an X user on Behal's post.
Another wrote, ""Analogue paneer" sounds so dystopian and disgusting. Looked up its meaning and yep, still disgusted."
A third X user said, "Zomato has so many places where their team lacks in checking eligibility for safer and cleaner restaurants and kitchens. One more zomato mischievous act found!! All they look for is sales and make public to buy over the customer centric campaigns they do," he wrote.
Disclaimer: The above story is based on reactions on the X platform. Opinions, views, and suggestions given by individuals are their own. These do not represent the views of Startup Pedia.
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