Is Food Delivery Safe? Third-party Regulations Explained

Is Food Delivery Safe

Third-party food delivery services are incredibly popular, and many restaurant operators either already partner with them or are considering it. Operators have several different issues to consider before they agree to do business with third-party services, though. They must consider how their business will cope with added delivery orders, whether they can afford holding equipment to keep the food safe until it's picked up, and whether or not the final product is appealing when it finally reaches the customer. Perhaps most concerning, though, is trying to keep the food safe after it leaves your establishment.

Most delivery service drivers are contract workers, and most do the job part time, which means they may not have the same experience in food safety as those working in the restaurant. Third-party delivery services have a vested interest in ensuring food safety, so they all have implemented policies to ensure every meal arrives safely. Governmental oversight lags behind in new industries, so there may not be much in the way of inspection to reassure you, but we'll go over the different third-party services and their safety protocols so you at least know what you're getting into.

Are Third-Party Delivery Services Regulated?

In December 2020, the National Restaurant Association and leaders of many different third-party delivery services came together and discussed some new guidelines to make their joint business arrangement fairer1. These stipulations include the right for the restaurant to know if their food is being delivered by a third party and an agreement that customers should be able to expect the same food safety from third-party delivery as from dining in. However, there are not many specifics other than an agreement that third-party services should promote food safety.

With most aspects of dine-in restaurant foodservice, local governments have inspectors that attempt to verify every operator follows the guidelines that keep our food safe. Not all locales have that same setup for third-party delivery services, though. Check with your local authorities to see which foodservice regulations apply to third-party delivery services in your jurisdiction, as they won't all be the same. We'll cover the safety protocols of some of the largest third-party delivery services below so you can choose who you trust to deliver your meals.

Is DoorDash Safe?

DoorDash instructs their couriers in several different aspects of food safety, including maintaining temperature and cleaning accessories2. DoorDash offers its couriers insulated bags to help them transport food, which can increase the holding temperature of hot food or decrease that of chilled foods to improve overall food safety. DoorDash encourages its couriers to wipe down all the transportation equipment they use with sanitizing chemicals to prevent any potential microbial growth. As with most third-party delivery services, the customer, restaurant, and driver all operate under an assumed timeline, and so long as that timeline is adhered to, the food should not be compromised.

Is UberEats Safe?

UberEats encourages restaurants to utilize tamper-resistant stickers to prove food has not been touched since it left the safety of your kitchen3. Uber recommends, but does not require, insulated bags to help contain heat during a delivery run. The company leaves most of the food safety aspects to the restaurateur, though you will have the option to report any safety violations you notice a delivery driver commit. Tamper-evident bags, including bags that are sealed with a sticker, can help ensure the food remains sealed in whatever containers you have determined appropriate. Again, if the food remains sealed and is delivered within a reasonable timeframe, your food should be delivered safely.

Is GrubHub Safe?

GrubHub has a list of guidelines4 for both restaurant operators and their drivers that attempt to ensure food arrives as safely as possible. Beyond instructing drivers never to open the packaging they pick up from the restaurants, GrubHub advises the restaurants to prepare the food in sealed and bagged containers. Drivers are required to sanitize their hands between deliveries as well, providing another way to keep potential contaminants away from your customers.

Additionally, GrubHub pointedly reminds drivers5 to check the restaurant's delivery instructions as well as the customer's instructions. This gives you an easy way to communicate the safety procedures you want followed to the delivery driver, including where the food should be picked up and how it should be transported.

Is Food Delivery Safe?

While third-party delivery couriers do handle food, they fall in a gray area between official foodservice operators and transport workers6. These services are slowly being regulated around the country, so you should check with your local authorities to determine what sort of oversight the industry actually has – but restaurant operators can't exert much, if any, control over the food after it leaves their doors. However, there are some steps you can take to help ensure your food remains safe until it reaches the customer.

  • Choose your delivery partners wisely: If you don't like the way a certain company handles your deliveries, you can usually opt out of appearing on their site.
  • Use high-quality food containers: Solidly sealed packaging prevents outside contamination, ensures food isn't spilled, and retains heat.
  • Only offer delivery on items that can survive it: Don't send out items that you know are not going to taste good 30 minutes after they leave your kitchen. Choose items that are safe and tasty even if they aren't fresh out of the oven.
  • Keep the food safe on your end: If the food is kept at safe temperatures until the moment the delivery person picks it up, that greatly decreases the risk of harmful microorganisms that thrive in the danger zone. Consider a heated holding cabinet for your pickup area to ensure food stays above a safe holding temperature.

Sources

  1. Restaurant and Delivery Companies Agree to Policy. Restaurant.org. Accessed January 2021.
  2. DoorDash Food Safety Requirements. DoorDash. Accessed January 2021.
  3. UberEats Food Safety Guidelines. Uber. Accessed January 2021.
  4. GrubHub Safety Recommendations. GrubHub. Accessed January 2021.
  5. GrubHub Pickup Recommendations. GrubHub. Accessed January 2021.
  6. Managing the Safety of Food Delivery. Food Safety Magazine. Accessed January 2021.