May 16, 2025
Posted by: OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers
Meal delivery services have transformed the way we eat, offering convenience, variety, and speed. However, a new wave of food safety risks has emerged with the rise of app-based food delivery platforms. Food poisoning from meal delivery services is becoming increasingly common, raising serious consumer health and safety concerns.
If you or a loved one became ill after eating food from a delivery app or meal kit, you may be wondering what your legal options are. Here’s what you need to know about your rights and how to hold responsible parties accountable.
Food delivered through third-party platforms or direct-to-home meal kits can be just as dangerous as poorly handled food from a restaurant or grocery store. Whether it’s spoiled ingredients, cross-contamination, or improper handling during transport, there are many ways that food can become unsafe before it reaches your table.
These risks are especially concerning because the food safety chain is often unclear—was it the restaurant, the delivery driver, or the packaging facility that made the mistake? The answer can be complex, but food safety laws exist to protect you.
Unlike dining in at a restaurant or cooking at home, food delivery introduces several new stages where safety can break down. These include improper cooking, poor packaging, and unsafe delivery practices.
Once food leaves a restaurant or facility, it is often left in unrefrigerated conditions for longer than it should be, creating the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow.
Delivered food can contain dangerous bacteria such as:
Symptoms of foodborne illness typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required, especially for vulnerable populations like young children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.
Food poisoning linked to delivery services can happen at multiple points in the supply chain. Below are some of the most common sources of contamination.
If a restaurant or meal kit provider fails to follow food safety regulations, the food may already be contaminated when it leaves the kitchen or facility. Common culprits are improper refrigeration, poor hygiene, or cross-contamination with raw ingredients.
Delivery drivers typically are not trained in food safety. If food is left sitting in a car without proper temperature control, especially during hot or cold weather, bacteria can multiply quickly. Delivery delays can further increase this risk, and food may arrive at an unsafe temperature without any indication to the customer.
In the case of meal kits, contamination can happen when the instructions are unclear, or ingredients are not properly packaged. If perishable items aren’t shipped with adequate refrigeration, they can spoil in transit—even before they’re cooked.
While you can’t control every step in the delivery chain, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of foodborne illness.
Depending on the item, food should be delivered hot (above 140°F) or cold (below 40°F). If it arrives at room temperature, it may be unsafe to eat.
Do not consume the contents if a meal kit arrives with broken seals, warm meats, or wilted produce. Report any issues to the company immediately and take photos of the evidence.
Before and after handling meal kit ingredients or takeout containers, wash your hands and thoroughly clean all preparation surfaces to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
If you’ve been diagnosed with food poisoning and suspect it came from a meal delivery service, you may have legal options. A lawyer experienced in foodborne illness cases can help identify the source of contamination and pursue compensation for your losses, which may include:
Depending on where the breach in food safety occurred, the restaurant, the delivery service, or the manufacturer of the ingredients may be liable.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers has the resources and experience to investigate your case and thoroughly hold negligent parties accountable.
Don’t let a food delivery app or meal kit provider get away with negligence that caused your illness. If you’ve suffered from food poisoning after ordering from a delivery service, you deserve answers—and compensation.
Contact OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Call (888) 828-7087 or fill out our online form to get started. Let us help you pursue justice and hold the responsible parties accountable for putting your health at risk.
