Bombay Shaving Company CEO Raises Health Alarm on India’s Rising Trend of Quick Commerce Foods

Recently, Shantanu Deshpande, founder-CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, has raised concerns about India's growing quick commerce food delivery platforms. Sharing his thoughts on LinkedIn, the CEO expressed his concerns over the nutritional quality of the super-fast food delivered.

Deshpande's health alarm

He disclosed that many of these fast foods are prepared using frozen purees and reheated vegetables, which are then quickly assembled and delivered to customers. He described this process as “unsustainable” and could lead to a public health crisis.

“Cook time 2 min, delivery time 8 min", he wrote observing how quickly the meal is prepared without focusing on the nutritional value.

In the post, Deshpande said: “We are suffering from the biggest epidemic of poor nutrition and unhealthy processed and ultra-processed food," whereas many of the foods have a high level of palm oil and sugar. In turn, he blamed this on agricultural practices promoted throughout the last five decades and concentrated on yield, not nutritional quality with a drastic reduction in nutritional quality in staple grains grown across the country.

The CEO further warned that India is moving towards health crises on a similar path as the United States and China, without the “economic cover” needed for medical treatments.

According to Deshpande, India’s addiction to low-priced pizzas or energy drinks, is detrimental to public health. He wrote, “Our junk food addiction… is taking us down the path of China and the US without the economic cover needed for health."

You can read Shantanu Deshpande's  LinkedIn post here 

Deshpande urged investors and founders in the food business not to compete against each other considering this a game. Addressing the quick commerce giants, Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto, Deshpande said instead of making quick commerce “the next big wave of Indian commerce” consider making “palatable” products. He told the companies to not make such conveniences that would in turn create health hazards. 

Also, he advised people to prepare simple meals at home than rely on quick deliveries: “No one is too busy to take 10 min out to put a decent dal chawal or smoothie or salad or sandwich together," he said.

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