Things you should do after receiving food from online delivery platforms – Times of India

Online restaurant aggregator Zomato has shared tips for its users that can help ensure their safety after receiving their order. The shared tips follow the guidelines of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on safe food practices to avoid the spread of the coronavirus and safeguard health through adequate nutrition. 

The steps include

• Collecting the food package and keeping it in an isolated or segregated place.
• Opening the package, and discarding external packing into the dustbin
• Washing hands with soap and water or sanitising hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Emptying the food content using tongs, ladles, spoons, etc. into clean serving dish/utensil.
• Discarding the food packages/containers carrying or holding food
• Washing hands with soap and clean water or sanitising hands with an alcohol-based sanitisers

The above-mentioned steps were shared by FSSAI when it released a e-handbook on “Eating Right during COVID-19” for citizens on the World Food Safety Day earlier this month. 

In its online handbook, FSSAI also stated pointers that must be kept in mind while ordering food for delivery. These are

• Using contactless delivery modes where food packets are left outside your door and the customer is informed on call. This helps to maintain social distancing.
• In cases when contactless delivery is not possible, ensure there is a minimum 1 meter gap between you and the delivery person.
• Choosing contactless modes of payments such as UPI, QR codes, net-banking, e-wallets, etc. In case, payment is made using card or cash, hands should be washed or sanitized after payment.