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Hong KongHealth & Environment

A meal at your door in minutes, but can Hong Kong operators deliver on food safety?

Consumers are spoiled for choice, but poor food handling raise the serious risks of contamination and spoilage

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With competition fierce, a rapid delivery time is a key selling point to attract customers. Photo: May Tse
Jasmine Siu

With the help of online food delivery companies, Hongkongers can now satisfy almost every culinary craving without having to leave their doorstep.

But while recognising how such services are broadening consumer choices, the consumer watchdog is reminding users to first read the operators’ terms and conditions before placing orders.

“Consumers should take note that service providers may not be responsible for the quality of food,” a Consumer Council spokesman told the Post. “In case of poor food quality or damaged products, it may be difficult for consumers to recover their losses.”

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Online food delivery companies stress that multiple measures are in place to ensure quality, with food safety being their absolute priority.

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The food delivery scene has quickly boomed into a HK$2 billion market since companies such as foodpanda and Deliveroo decided to tap into the tech-savvy culinary paradise known for having one of the highest per capita concentrations of cafes and restaurants in the world.

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