There has been an active change in the way we perceive food over the years, and in recent times the culture of eating out has been on a steady rise. From catering to main social events to going out for an occasional meet up or experimenting with different cuisines, we are increasingly accustomed to eat outside food.
And if going to a nearby restaurant and ordering food was the usual norm, we now have varied third- party delivery apps that not only allow for easy ordering at the comfort of one’s home but also bring the food right at their doorstep from any top chain restaurant. However, shockingly, as much we are quick to adapt to different new cuisines and online delivery methods, our country is a little slow in catching up with regard to the quality of food we consume.
Neglecting food quality
Majority of the delivery apps have rating systems that take into consideration only the taste and the delivery time.
Swift delivery and food variety are becoming the main deciding factors in choosing restaurants, while the quality of the food and nature of the ingredients used are never questioned. Countless times, consumers are drawn to restaurants that one has never heard before, only because the app ensures to deliver it in a short period of time. From introducing discounts to cashback offers, these apps play a pivotal role in influencing one’s food and restaurant choice. It is only natural to expect the apps to have some accountability on the many foods they deliver to the customers.
The main factor is the poor quality of food we consume which is littered with chemicals and toxic adulterants. The presence of bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria etc. in one’s food and water supply, induces symptoms that can range from diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach ache to serious illness.
“WITH THE EASE OF THESE ONLINE DELIVERY PLATFORMS ATTRACTING A LOT OF CONSUMERS WHO PLACE THEIR TRUST ON THE APPS TO DELIVER THEM WITH GOOD FOOD, WOULDN’T IT BE FAIR IF THE APP COULD ASSURE THE TRUST THE CUSTOMERS PLACE ON THEM?.”
At IncepBio we are on a noble mission to build a healthier and safer India, where every individual is assured to have safe and hygienic food without the fear of adulterants.
Rise of food delivery apps
Over the years, several delivery start-ups have sprung open around the country that are fast revolutionizing the restaurant industry and related services. For city dwellers, these apps are touted to be a blessing as they guarantee to deliver hot food on demand from any restaurant, be it from a fast-food or upscale, within a short interval time. This level of ease and clarity in ordering food, tracking its delivery, receiving it and providing feedback are factors that contribute to these digital delivery systems, which is fast becoming the go-to-go service for food order. Restaurants are now adapting to respond to the changes in the market and are readily taking up orders through these different channels.
“IN A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED IN INDIA SHOWED THAT ALMOST 34% OF THE PEOPLE PREFERRED TO EAT OUT TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK, 27% ATE ONCE A WEEK WHILE A GOOD 11% ATE THREE OR MORE TIMES A WEEK WITH 12% EATING ONCE A MONTH.”
Bringing Quality To The Table
Operating among many chains of restaurants, the third party apps can play an essential role in reinforcing the importance of maintaining the hygienic quality of food. Wouldn’t it be better if the restaurant that serves us with tasty and delicious food, also guarantees and provides us with safe and healthy food?
At Incepbio, a food testing laboratory in Bangalore, our purpose is to help the restaurants with certification. By introducing this certification criteria, where restaurants that have their food periodically quality-tested are prioritized, major health risks will be eliminated. This mark of quality can draw in a lot more customers who can now be assured about the hygienic and unadulterated state of their food. This arrangement between the app and restaurants can prove to be beneficial in terms of increasing trust and building a strong customer base. If there was an option to order food from quality certified restaurants, it can pull in consumers who were initially doubtful about the nature of the food.
Where laws and regulations are still evolving, this lucrative nature of the platform and consumer demand can actively push restaurants to get a quality certification. It will help in side lining businesses who engage in dubious and unethical methods.
Let’s demand quality certification from restaurants
The changing eating culture of our country has made quality checks for restaurants more significant than before. It is now not a choice to state that ‘eating once won’t hurt’ as in many cases, we are constantly eating outside food. It is alarming to note that the generation Z are much at risk of many diseases and disorders owing to poor and unhealthy eating habits. With every passing day, one is increasingly dependent on medicines to cure ailments and the old saying ‘Prevention is better than cure’ rings truer than ever before. Getting your food tested can be one easy way to ensure that you are eating the right food to prevent falling in such a predicament.
Restaurants whose main economic base is its consumers should start to invest in such quality checks. As customers, it is at your hands to encourage and push restaurants in getting their quality checked as it is your right to be given healthy and clean food. Ask for the quality certification at the next restaurant you choose to eat at, UNTILL THEN OFF THE MENU.
