A surprise inspection at a McDonald's facility in Jaipur has raised serious food safety concerns after state health officials reportedly found cooking oil with TPC (total polar compound) levels far above the permissible limit. The checks were carried out on Monday at the chain's Gaurav Tower outlet in Jaipur, where Rajasthan's food safety team examined the oil used for frying French fries and other menu items.
According to The Times of India, during the inspection, the frying oil appeared "extremely black and unusable", yet it continued to be heated to around 150 degrees Celsius and used throughout the day. Approximately 40 litres of oil were destroyed on-site, and fresh oil was ordered for immediate use.
Unsafe Oil Found At McDonald's Jaipur
Officials reported that the oil used for non-vegetarian items contained TPC levels of 28%, while the oil used for vegetarian preparations recorded an even higher 31%.
Dr Manish Mittal, Chief Medical Health Officer (Jaipur-II), told TOI that TPC is a crucial measure of oil quality and safety. Once it crosses the 25% threshold, the oil can begin generating carcinogenic compounds and elevated trans fats that are linked to heart disease risk.
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Rotten Tomatoes Found At McDonald's
In addition to the oil violation, officials allegedly found 40 kg of rotten tomatoes stored in plastic crates inside the cold room. These were destroyed on the spot.
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Manager Instructed to Take Corrective Action
The report states that the restaurant's manager, Sambhav Bhardwaj, was present during the inspection and instructed to replace the degraded oil immediately. An improvement notice is expected to be issued to the outlet under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Further action will depend on the detailed analysis of the collected samples.
McDonald's Issues Statement On Jaipur Inspection
Speaking about the inspection, a McDonald's spokesperson told NDTV, "We acknowledge the routine inspection conducted and are fully cooperating with the authorities."
"We follow rigorous McDonald's global standards and remain strictly compliant with the guidelines prescribed by FSSAI and food regulatory authorities," the statement continued.
"At McDonald's, food safety and quality are fundamental to our operations, supported by robust protocols across sourcing, storage, and preparation. We remain committed to consistently upholding these standards and reinforcing the trust our customers place in us every day," they added.