by Dr Rahim Said
Food delivery has revolutionised convenience, but when meals arrive half-eaten, it signals a system in dire need of repair.
Recently, a man’s ayam penyet order came with a missing chunk of fried chicken, sparking outrage on social media. Whether due to a kitchen mishap, rider misconduct, or outright sabotage, the implications are alarming.
Food delivery thrives on trust—between customers, eateries, and delivery platforms. When orders arrive cold, incomplete, or, in extreme cases, partially consumed, that trust crumbles.
Who is responsible? The restaurant? The rider? The platform?
The lack of accountability fuels public frustration. If eateries are careless, they risk their reputation. If riders tamper with orders, they compromise the entire system. And if platforms fail to act, they lose credibility.
Some argue the missing chicken was an honest mistake, while others claim this eatery has a track record of similar incidents. Food tampering isn’t new — there have been cases of disgruntled workers and careless riders compromising orders.
Without solid proof, pinpointing blame is difficult, but the fact that customers even suspect foul play speaks volumes about declining food service standards.
So, what’s the solution? Below are some of my initial thoughts on the issue:
- Tamper-Proof Packaging – Restaurants must implement sealed packaging to prevent interference during transit.
- Stricter Quality Control – Eateries need mandatory checks before sealing food for delivery. Repeat offenders should face penalties.
- Clearer Accountability – Delivery platforms must clarify responsibility. Is it the vendor’s fault or that of the rider? Customers deserve transparency.
- Robust Customer Protection – Refund and complaint mechanisms must be stronger, ensuring swift action against negligence.
Beyond this case, many Malaysians are fed up with poor food service —overpriced meals with tiny portions, inconsistent quality, and delivery mishaps. If platforms, eateries, and riders don’t step up, trust in food delivery will erode.
Because really, no one should have to wonder if their meal has already been sampled.
WE