‘Zomato and Swiggy and Zepto, please, don’t…’: Mumbai CEO’s warning on ultra-fast food deliveries

Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, has raised alarm over India’s growing dependence on fast food delivery and said it is about to turn into a health epidemic.

In a strongly worded LinkedIn post, Deshpande criticized the reliance on processed and ultra-processed foods on delivery platforms’ menus, which are often filled with palm oil and sugar.

Calling out food delivery giants, Deshpande wrote: “Our addiction to junk food, fueled by ₹49 pizzas, ₹20 energy drinks and ₹30 burgers, is leading us down the path of the US and China, with no economic safety net for healthcare.” The likes of Zomato, Swiggy and Zepto to rethink their approach.

“Zomato, Swiggy and Zepto – please don’t. And if you are so inclined, please make the product delicious. I would love it if we innovate and can actually deliver decent food that is not stale in 10 minutes. The big unlock But I don’t think we are anywhere near there yet”.

Deshpande shared his shock at the industry’s race to deliver meals in record time.

“Cooking time: 2 minutes. Delivery time: 8 minutes. “A ‘qcom for food’ founder said this to me and I lost my mind,” he wrote. The CEO also criticized the use of frozen ingredients dressed to look fresh, carried by delivery drivers who speed through traffic to meet unrealistic timelines.

The startup’s founder argued that India’s obsession with fast food poses a serious threat to public health in the long term. “The gut is the epicenter of your existence. “You are what you eat,” he warned.

Deshpande aimed his message not only at businesses and investors, but also at regulators and consumers. He called on regulators to ensure better oversight of food quality, even within the 10-minute delivery framework.

His advice to consumers was simple: cook. “No one is too busy to spend 10 minutes preparing dal chawal, smoothie, salad or sandwich. This is an adult skill. Learn,” he urged, warning that relying on fast meals could lead to serious long-term health problems.

Deshpande’s post attracted the attention of many people on social media. While some echoed his concerns, others proposed regulatory reforms that would separate food preparation time from delivery time to ensure quality.