3 McDonald’s outlets found using stale oil

JAIPUR: A routine inspection drive conducted by the Jaipur health department earlier this month revealed that three branches of McDonald’s — a popular fast food chain — were reportedly using oil that was over 16 days old.

The discovery has spurred department officials to check if fast food chains in the city adhere to prescribed food safety standards. “During an inspection drive on June 17, we were shocked to find that the oil being used by three McDonald’s outlets was 16 days old. The oil had turned black as it was being heated constantly at 360 degrees Celsius for all those days. The management was unable to give us a satisfactory answer,” said Narottam Sharma, chief medical and health officer, Jaipur.

There were other problems too. “We also found that palmolein oil was being used at all McDonald’s branches in Jaipur. Palmolein oil is less healthy when compared to other edible oils such as soybean oil,” Sharma said.

The team also discovered that outlets at Panch Batti, Elements Mall and Crystal Palm did not have a proper oil management system. Over 100 litres of used oil — purportedly meant to prepare delicacies such as French fries — were found in their storerooms. “We destroyed the stockpile of used oil we found, and took samples for testing. The outlets have been served with an improvement notice. We will decide on the next course of action after we get a comprehensive report on the samples from the laboratory,” said Sharma.

But McDonald’s denied the allegations. “McDonald’s India follows a robust oil management system that has been used worldwide in 130 countries over the past 60 years. We have not yet received a notice from authorities. Once we receive it, we will respond accordingly,” said an official spokesperson of McDonald’s India (North & East).