Rajasthan Government slams notice to McDonald's for reusing 16-day-old oil
Rajasthan Government slams notice to McDonald's for reusing 16-day-old oil

One of the biggest fast food chains in the world, McDonald’s, has been taken for a troll by the Rajasthan Health Department. The department has slammed notice to three outlets of McD’s in Jaipur after they were found reusing the oil which was more than 16-day-old. The shocking incident was revealed after the department put these outlets under a strict scanner before serving the notice.

On Monday, the department finally served the notice to the Panch Batti-based McDonald's franchisee, Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd. and also ordered these outlets to improve their products as per the standard set by the Food Safety Act. It is universally acknowledged by experts that reuse of oil produce transfats and is extremely harmful for health.

Elaborating on the harmful effects of reusing the oil, Dr Rakesh Gupta, Rajasthan Cancer Foundation chief and former surgical oncologist, said that deep frying of oils, especially vegetable oils, produces large amount of cancer-causing substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons andacrylamide. At higher temperature, these are present in larger amount. In addition, the toxic aldehydes produced also lead to a higher occurrence, not only of cancers, but heart disease, dementia and malformations during pregnancy.

The notice served by the department states that according to the records (oil quality evaluation form) at McDonald’s outlets during the month of June, heated vat of vegetable oil was continuously used from June 1 to June 16, 2016 and there is an 'OK' remark given by quality evaluator manager and crew.

McDonald's in India has a robust oil management system developed and used worldwide by the corporation in 130 countries over the past 60 years. These processes are best in class and ensure the oil-in-use is checked every day and meets all the applicable standards, adds Dr. Gupta.

After conducting the inspection Panch Bhatti Mcdonald’s outlet, the official revealed that the palmolein oil had turned black due to continuous heating. It is heated at 360 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. When it is reduced due to heating, they top up the oil to fill the heated vat. Outlets have not changed the oil completely for 16 days.

 
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