CQU-led research asks users of food delivery apps to think about food addiction and wastage
Food delivery apps could be contributing to an increase in unhealthy eating habits and food wastage, according to CQUniversity academics.
Associate Professor Santoso Wibowo and Dr Rongbin Yang recently had the findings of a survey of food delivery apps (FDAs) conducted in China in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
The pair said the findings from the survey of 500 Chinese FDA users found the convenience of FDAs encourages customers to over-order food and could be contributing to food addictions and food wastage.
“FDAs have rapidly gained popularity in both developing and developed countries, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. They've become a go-to option for many people seeking convenience in ordering food from their favourite restaurants,” A/Prof Wibowo said.
“However, amid this surge in popularity, there is a limited study on the potential downsides of using FDAs. While they do offer convenience and help businesses earn more, there is a growing concern about how they might impact consumers' eating habits and their impact on the environment.”
Dr Yang said China was chosen for the study as it was the largest market for the use of FDAs.
“The convenience and ease of getting favourite food items, the pleasurable experiences of browsing tempting food information (like photos), and the price incentives (such as free delivery or free chips for orders over $50) provided by FDAs can encourage users to order more food than they actually need,” Dr Yang said.
“Additionally, social pressure from peers (for instance, ‘everyone is using FDAs all the time, so I should too’), and the habit of constantly checking smartphone apps also contribute to unhealthy behaviours such as food addictions and waste.”
They both said with Australians also using FDAs in increasing numbers, more education was needed.
“Firstly, food delivery apps should prioritise providing comprehensive information about their products and services through online platforms,” Dr Wibowo said.
“The goal is to empower consumers with the knowledge needed to form positive expectations about their experience. However, performance evaluation should not only consider factors like menu diversity, ingredient freshness and food presentation. It is also crucial to highlight the availability of healthy and well-balanced food options. FDAs should inform users about the environmental, economic and social consequences of food waste, as well as offer tips on how to repurpose leftovers into new dishes for later consumption.”
The duo recommended that FDAs could help prevent food addiction and wastage in a number of ways including sorting information on the available dishes based on potentially addictive ingredients like carbohydrates, collaborating with local food organisations to rescue surplus food, and providing users with the option to donate excess dishes.
“In Australia, more and more people are using food delivery apps. Our research reminds users to think about their eating habits,” Dr Yang said.
“People should ask themselves 'do I eat a lot more when I order food through FDAs instead of cooking'? 'Do I often have leftover food after using FDAs'? 'Do I feel worried if I can't use FDAs for a while'?
“If they answer yes to these questions, it might be a good idea to take some actions, for example, talk to a doctor or health professional for the prevention of food addiction. These questions help people think about pro-environmental behaviours and how using FDAs affects their eating habits."
Assoc Prof Wibowo said the pair planned on conducting similar research in Australia and comparing the findings between the two markets.
Read the full journal article
