Food safety concerns rise with online delivery app usage

Online food delivery has become a staple of urban life in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering convenience for users, small businesses, and delivery workers. However, experts warn that speed should not be the only priority when ordering food.

Unlike other goods, food errors in ingredients, preparation, or storage can lead to immediate health consequences such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and food poisoning. Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, a member of the Vietnam Society of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, highlights that digital storefronts on apps often lack transparency. While users can see prices and reviews, these metrics do not reflect critical safety factors like ingredient origins, kitchen hygiene, or the separation of raw and cooked foods. This is particularly relevant with the rise of “ghost kitchens” or “cloud kitchens,” which operate solely for delivery and lack the visible operating conditions of traditional restaurants.