When you’re hungry or just want a little treat, there are a variety of ways to have food delivered to you. In most cases, in the past, you had to live pretty close to a restaurant to have food delivered, and that was even if the restaurant offered delivery. Now, you can order food from a much further distance from your home, and you can even order food from restaurants that don’t typically deliver via services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. Homebodies rejoice! 

Food delivery services work by allowing you to order via the platform’s app, then a driver goes to the restaurant to pick up your food, and then they deliver it to your house. These drivers are typically gig workers, or independent contractors, and they’re not employees of the restaurant or the food delivery service. 

While these services are incredibly convenient, they may not be as safe as ordering delivery from the restaurant directly or placing a pickup order and picking up the food yourself. 

Is Food Safe From Uber Eats? 

When ordering directly from a restaurant, it’s more likely that the food will leave the restaurant shortly after it’s made. Often, drivers employed directly through the restaurant will also have insulated bags to help keep the food at a safe temperature until it arrives at your home. 

Another food safety concern is the use of “dark kitchens.” These are restaurants that don’t have an actual storefront; they exist solely to make food for delivery. They’re often start-ups, and they might not be following food safety protocols. 

Though food tampering can happen by any food service worker, delivery service drivers may be more likely to tamper with food as well. There have been reports of drivers tampering with food, such as sticking their hands in the bag and eating some of the food. Employees of restaurants have to follow certain food safety guidelines, but Uber Eats drivers aren’t true employees. Instead, they’re contract workers for the delivery service and don’t have any connection to the restaurant. 

Uber Eats Physical and Sexual Assault

In addition to food safety, an even more harrowing concern is your physical safety when you order from a service like DoorDash or Uber Eats. Rideshare services Uber and Lyft have come under scrutiny because passengers have experienced physical and sexual assault while riding in the vehicle. Unfortunately, people who have ordered food from Uber Eats and other food delivery services have also experienced assault. 

Placing a delivery order is risky because you have to tell the driver your location. This can be especially dangerous if you live alone or if you order at night. There are various ways drivers have assaulted customers. For example, one woman was sexually assaulted after her driver asked her to come out to his car because he couldn’t access her apartment. He waited until her hands were full with her order to sexually assault her. 

In another example, an Instacart driver entered a woman’s home and raped her after delivering her groceries. The man had delivered groceries to her home multiple times, so he now knows where she lives and has her phone number. It’s possible he had been planning this for a while, and the fact that he still has information about the woman is distressing. 

Assault isn’t just limited to the customers of these services, either. Rideshare drivers have been assaulted as well. In 2021, an Uber Eats driver was sexually assaulted by a customer when she delivered food to his room. These examples are just a few of many, and they’re important cautionary tales to remember if you choose to use delivery services. You may be safer if you order from the restaurant directly or, better yet, place a pickup order. 

How to Stay Safe when Ordering Food Online

When you choose to order food, it’s typically safer to order directly from the restaurant. Official employees of restaurants typically have stricter standards to follow, while contractors delivering through other services operate more independently.

Many restaurants put a sticker or a seal on the food containers, and drivers are not supposed to tamper with the food. If you notice that the seal has been broken or the sticker looks like it was taken off and then replaced, do not eat the food. Additionally, you can help keep yourself safe by choosing for the driver to leave the food at your door. As soon as you see them leave, then retrieve your food. 

Unfortunately, even with safety precautions, physical and sexual assault still happens via services like Uber Eats. In fact, it happens so much that many people have filed lawsuits against companies like Uber and Lyft. If you have been assaulted, you may be able to eligible to file a lawsuit. We can help connect you with a lawyer who can examine your case and determine your eligibility. Most of all, we hope that you’re able to heal from your traumatic experience and find the support you need.