Food Delivery Safety: What to Check Before and After You Order
Checking restaurant hygiene information, tamper-evident packaging, temperature on arrival, safe storage of leftovers and what to do if something seems wrong.
Short answer
Check restaurant ratings and, where available, official hygiene inspection results; look for sealed or tamper-evident packaging; eat hot food promptly and refrigerate leftovers within about two hours (sooner in hot weather); and report problems to the app and, if serious, local food-safety authorities.
Key points
- Check hygiene ratings where they're published.
- Sealed packaging is a good sign.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
- Report problems through the app.
Most deliveries arrive safe and tasty, but a few checks protect you.
Before ordering
- Hygiene ratings: in some countries, official inspection scores are published — check them.
- Reviews: look for repeated mentions of illness or hygiene issues.
- Allergies: see ordering with food allergies.
On arrival
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Sealed, tamper-evident stickers or bags intact |
| Temperature | Hot food hot, cold food cold |
| Contents | Correct order, no spills |
If something looks tampered with or wrong, don't eat it — report it through the app.
Leftovers
Refrigerate within about two hours (one hour in hot weather), keep leftovers in sealed containers and eat within a few days. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
Reporting
Report problems to the app's support. For suspected food poisoning, seek medical advice and consider reporting to your local food-safety authority. See official guidance such as the U.S. FDA.
The bottom line
Choose reputable restaurants, check packaging and temperature on arrival and handle leftovers properly.
Questions readers ask
How long can delivery food sit out?
Food-safety agencies generally advise not leaving perishable food at room temperature for more than about two hours, or one hour in very hot conditions.
