TL;DR
A features writer stopped using meal delivery apps after seeing an Instagram video alleging unauthorized merchant listings and after a personal experience of feeling unwell from a recent order. She switched to cooking and recipe apps, citing control over ingredients, food safety concerns, and modest cost savings.
What happened
Irene Okpanachi, a features writer who frequently used delivery apps, says she stopped ordering prepared meals after encountering a viral Instagram video in which a woman alleged that a popular delivery service had created a business profile using her brand without consent and fulfilled orders with meals the woman did not prepare. The video reportedly showed many complaint comments; business owners writing in the thread said they found their identities used without proper agreements. Some people mentioned reactions and allergies, though those claims remain unverified. Okpanachi also describes a recent takeaway shawarma that tasted off and produced nausea, which reinforced her decision. She points to a separate, documented public-health incident: a November 2025 CDC-linked Salmonella outbreak tied to home-delivery service Metabolic Meals that sickened 21 people across 13 states and hospitalized eight. Since December 2025 she reports saving over $40 by reducing delivery and using recipe apps to cook at home instead.
Why it matters
- Delivery apps create a trust gap: customers see only menu and final meal, not what happens in between.
- A linked CDC investigation shows delivery-related services can be vectors for outbreaks with serious health outcomes.
- Unauthorized listings or impersonated businesses could cause reputational harm and expose customers to unknown food-handling practices.
- Cooking at home gives consumers more control over ingredients, hygiene, and cost.
Key facts
- Author Irene Okpanachi stopped using delivery apps after viewing an Instagram video alleging unauthorized merchant profiles.
- The Instagram video described a case where a platform allegedly used a business's brand without consent and fulfilled orders with meals not prepared by that business.
- Claims of allergic reactions and other complaints appeared in the video's comment thread; those specific claims are unverified in the source.
- Okpanachi reports feeling nausea after a shawarma order, an experience that contributed to her decision to stop ordering food via apps.
- A November 2025 Salmonella outbreak was linked by the CDC to Metabolic Meals, a home-delivery service; 21 people fell ill across 13 states and eight were hospitalized.
- The CDC outbreak involved meals that looked normal on arrival—sealed and labeled—but were later found to be contaminated.
- Okpanachi says she has saved over $40 between December 2025 and the present by cooking instead of ordering delivery.
- She recommends starting with simple home-cooked items, using trusted apps or places you’ve visited in person, and choosing heavily cooked foods that are harder to mishandle.
What to watch next
- Whether platforms will investigate or disclose the extent of unauthorized or 'ghost' merchant listings — not confirmed in the source
- Regulatory or platform policy changes addressing merchant verification and labeling on delivery marketplaces — not confirmed in the source
- Follow-up reporting on the prevalence of customer-reported allergic reactions connected to third-party delivery listings — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Delivery app: A mobile or web platform that connects customers with restaurants or third-party services to order prepared meals and have them delivered.
- Salmonella: A genus of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, commonly associated with symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- CDC: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency that investigates and reports on public-health threats, including foodborne outbreaks.
- Foodborne illness: An illness resulting from consumption of contaminated food or beverages, often caused by pathogens, toxins, or improper handling.
Reader FAQ
Did the author get sick from a delivery?
She reports feeling nausea after eating a shawarma ordered via an app, but the source does not confirm a medical diagnosis or laboratory link to contamination.
Was the allegation of businesses being impersonated confirmed?
The source describes an Instagram video alleging unauthorized merchant profiles and says business owners reported finding fabricated listings, but widespread verification of those claims is not provided.
Is there a documented delivery-related outbreak?
Yes. The CDC linked a November 2025 Salmonella outbreak to Metabolic Meals; 21 people became ill and eight were hospitalized across 13 states.
How much did the author save by cooking at home?
She says she saved over $40 between December 2025 and the present by reducing reliance on meal-delivery services.
I stopped ordering food when I learned where it was coming from — delivery apps scare me Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | Markus Mainka / Shutterstock By Irene Okpanachi…
Sources
- I stopped ordering food when I learned where it was coming from — delivery apps scare me
- I Quit Ordering Food Delivery, Started Cooking, and Save …
- Kicking the Food Delivery Habit – A Practical Guide
- 4 Ways To Kick a Food Delivery Habit
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