Sat Jan 18,12:28 PM ET

By RAKESH PATEL, Associated Press Writer

AHMADABAD, India - Animal rights activists in western India Saturday removed a sign in a McDonald's restaurant that said no beef products were used in food preparation.

Activists from the All-Religion Animal Lovers' Organization said although the store in Vadodra in Gujarat state did not use beef products, the sign implied that beef can be eaten.

India's Hindu majority reveres cows, and eating beef is strictly prohibited. Beef is eaten by members of other religions, and served in some restaurants and hotels in big cities, angering Hindu nationalists who vehemently oppose any beef consumption.

The activists demanded McDonald's not put the sign up again.

They (McDonald's) can do business here without any hassles. However, we will not tolerate anything that hurts religious sentiments. The display board has to be removed, said R.T. Shah, vice president of the animal rights group.

A statement by McDonald's headquarters in India said the chain was puzzled about the opposition to the sign. Workers at the Vadodra outlet said the sign was aimed at dispelling any concerns for devout Hindus about eating there.

We do not serve beef in India and have always taken care not to hurt religious sentiments in the country, McDonald's said.

Two years ago, Hindu nationalists smashed windows of McDonald's outlets in India following lawsuits against the corporation in the United States for using beef flavoring in french fries.

McDonald's said fries sold in India have never been flavored with beef extract.

Vadodra is 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Ahmadabad, Gujarat's commercial capital.