Orthopaedic surgeon and co-founder of NutriByte Wellness, Dr. Manan Vora discussed why the new trend of 10-minute food delivery would be “disastrous” for our health.
Doctor calls against quick commerce foods
In a recent post on LinkedIn, the doctor shared that ultra-processed, ready-to-eat meals delivered to your doorstep by Zepto Cafe, Zomato Instant, or Swiggy Bolt, increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity rates.
The wellness startup founder wrote, “I’m a doctor, and I think this new trend of 10-minute food delivery will be disastrous to our health.”
Elaborating he said, “Zepto Cafe, Zomato Instant, and Swiggy Bolt are now competing in quick-commerce food deliveries. They say it’s for our convenience. But we need to stop and ask a crucial question: HOW is this food reaching me in 10 minutes?”
Dr. Vora further explained that for the food to be delivered in 10 minutes, it must be cooked in 3 minutes or less.
With a flowchart, the doctor-turned-entrepreneur shared how quick commerce foods are “dangerous of all”.
Pre-cooked → frozen → microwaved → delivered.
Gisting the studies around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) he shared the following:
- Increase the risk of cancer by 12% and cardiovascular disease by 10%.
- Are linked to rising obesity rates, affecting 27.8% of Indian adults.
- Cause increased sugar spikes, increasing the risk of diabetes.
- Have higher trans fats, contributing to heart disease.
Dr. Vora added that the quick commerce companies want to “capitalize on our need for convenience”.
However, the quickly prepared food can take a toll on your health.
Incidentally, Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha disclosed how his company is doing huge business in the quick commerce sector. He stated, "After 2 years of deep work, iteration, and disciplined scaling, Zepto Café is now at 30K+ orders/day and what we believe to be clear customer product-market-fit and solid unit economics."
Palicha believes that he and his team will make Zepto "one of the largest food QSR businesses in India."
He suggested, “If you don’t have home-cooked food and need to order in, do so. But wait a little longer for FRESH food. Don’t compromise your health.”
The doctor further urged the general public to repost and spread the message:
“Dear Zomato, Swiggy and Zepto:
We don’t want ultra-processed garbage delivered in 10 minutes!”
Read Dr. Vora's LinkedIn post here.
Netizens respond
An individual commented, "Absolutely. Already our young generation has stopped eating home food, which will not create health problems for all now but prolonged use will emerge as chronic health issues in another 10 years."
Another remarked, "Not only this 10 minutes foods even dine in restaurants and hotels too use pre mix ,ready to use , frozen and stored for weeks and months ingredients, gravies, semi cooked vegetables and just spice it up and serves. This need to be studied understood and increased the awareness and avoid such foods when we dine out."
A third user wrote, "Health must always come first, even if it means waiting a little longer for fresh, home-cooked meals. The risks of ultra-processed food are too high to ignore."
Also read: ‘Still Can’t Speak Kannada? Aa Jao Dilli’: Cars24 CEO Takes a Dig at Bengaluru’s Language Issue in Hiring Post (startuppedia.in)
/startuppedia/media/media_files/2024/12/21/d0kZuPr8dhnOuXr5LRPH.jpeg)