HONG KONG — A Hong Kong food delivery worker has been terminated by their platform after social media posts went viral showing the driver consuming a customer’s drink and food before delivery, citing the acts as an arbitrary “test for poison” and “punishment” for follow-up calls. The disturbing footage has sparked widespread public outcry over food safety and hygiene standards within the competitive local delivery industry.
The controversy originated on the social platform Threads, where a user shared screenshots and video clips originally posted by the driver. In one clip, the uniformed driver is seen opening a customer’s beverage container, taking a sip, and then attempting to wipe the lid clean before placing it back in the delivery bag. The driver captioned the video, claiming they needed to “check if the drink is poisoned.” Another image showed the driver taking a bite of a separate food order, accompanied by a caption that implied the act was a “punishment” because the customer had allegedly been insistent with follow-up calls regarding the late delivery. The driver stated, “Other people’s takeout is especially delicious; it’s a form of punishment.”
The revelation quickly ignited public disgust, with many internet users expressing shock and revulsion. Critics immediately labeled the behavior as antisocial and deeply unprofessional. Comments flooded in, with users vowing to avoid ordering takeout, citing the risk of receiving “pre-consumed” or contaminated meals.
The posts listed specific delivery routes, including an order traveling from Telford Plaza to Kai Yip Estate and another from Ting Yip Street to Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate. One of the affected restaurants, a local burger establishment named Burgershot, swiftly addressed the situation. Upon learning of the incident, the restaurant immediately contacted the delivery platform, sharing closed-circuit television footage, and successfully requested the permanent blacklisting of the rogue driver. The restaurant also issued a public warning to other vendors.
The incident underscores growing concerns about the lack of direct oversight regarding third-party logistics workers. Despite the intense competitive environment driving steep discounts for consumers, platforms face challenges ensuring high standards of hygiene and conduct among their contracted fleet.
“This level of unsanitary behavior is unacceptable and fundamentally undermines customer trust in the entire ecosystem,” said Dr. Mei Lin Fung, a consumer behavior analyst speaking on the immediate reaction. “When drivers feel entitled to tamper with sealed food for personal reasons, it requires immediate, decisive action from the platforms.”
Following the intense public backlash and reports filed by concerned citizens to both the delivery platform and the Department of Health, the driver updated their social media profile to indicate that their contract with the delivery service provider had been terminated.
For consumers concerned about food tampering, experts recommend the following actionable takeaways:
- Inspect Seals: Always check that security seals, stickers, or staples on bags and containers are intact and show no signs of tearing or manipulation.
- Opt for Self-Pickup: Many users commented that they would now choose to collect food directly from restaurants to maintain control over the chain of custody.
- Report Immediately: Any evidence of tampering, lack of proper sealing, or unusual behavior by delivery personnel should be documented and reported instantly to both the platform and local health authorities.
While the delivery platform has not issued a comprehensive public statement regarding internal policy changes, the industry now faces mounting pressure to implement stricter background checks, mandatory hygiene training, and better mechanisms for reporting and penalizing severe misconduct to restore consumer confidence in takeout services.
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