McDonald’s Laucala Bay. Photo: RONALD KUMAR
RACHNA LAL
SUVA
McDonald’s Fiji has confirmed it has switched to vegetarian cheese in a number of its menus in order to meet the dietary requirements of some of its Hindu customers.
This was after the fast food chain following a recent review, confirmed its cheese contained an enzyme called calves rennet.
“Because calves rennet is an animal by-product it may not meet the dietary requirements of some of our Hindu customers,” the company responded through a statement.
“Since identifying the cheese contains calves rennet, McDonald’s Fiji worked with our suppliers to source a vegetarian cheese.
“This is now used on the following menu items: Filet O Fish, Filet Wrap, Salad Burger, Egg McMuffin, and ELT McMuffin.
“The non-vegetarian cheese will continue to be used for other menu items such as Big Mac, and Cheeseburger.”
Religious organisation support
Meanwhile, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (Fiji) said they discovered the presence of calves rennet in February this year.
President Jay Dayal said this was upon examining the ingredients listing of McDonald’s for their products which are potentially consumed by Hindus in Fiji.
“McDonald’s Fiji used beef-rennet based cheese for all their products ever since they started operating in Fiji,” Mr Dayal said.
“VHP Fiji, the Fiji Chapter of the World Hindu Council, have successfully helped Fiji McDonald’s outlets to change to a vegetarian cheese.
“Vegetarian cheese uses the required enzyme produced through micro-organisms, without any kind of slaughter involved.”
Mr Dayal stressed it was very important for any food outlet to respect the consumer’s rights and their dietary requirements.
“In case of ingredients such as beef or pork products in any food item, it is incumbent on the food supplier to make such declarations on their label,” he said.
Case in USA
Mr Dayal said they have also ascertained that beef is cooked separately from chicken, fish and potato fries.
He said there are precedents of such negligence where the cooking process would mix up beef in other food products.
“Recently, Hindus in USA successfully litigated and secured substantial damages against MacDonald’s in a case of similar nature,” Mr Dayal.
“In Fiji, we established a good resolution through discussions, for the good of our Hindu community.
“We will regularly inspect and issue annual inspection certificate to such food outlets where we suspect ingredients could potentially harm a Hindu’s dietary requirements.”
Feedback: rachnal@fijisun.com.fj