Shantanu Deshpande, Founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently sparked a conversation on LinkedIn about the growing trend of ultra-processed food delivery and its potential impact on public health. In a post that garnered over 6,000 likes and sparked more than 400 comments, Deshpande voiced his concern about the rise of quick-fix meals delivered in record time, often consisting of frozen purees, old vegetables, and unhealthy processed ingredients.
Deshpande’s post was prompted by a conversation with a founder who was talking about "cook time 2 min, delivery time 8 min." Deshpande quoted this, expressing his shock at the speed and convenience, but warning about the long-term health risks associated with this trend.
The CEO highlighted the ongoing nutritional crisis in India, fuelled by the widespread consumption of junk food. “We are suffering from the biggest epidemic of poor nutrition and unhealthy processed and ultra-processed food, high in palm oil and sugar,” he wrote. According to Deshpande, the prioritisation of agricultural yield over nutrition over the last 50 years has led to the depletion of vital nutrients in staple grains.
Deshpande also touched on the addictive nature of cheap, fast food, pointing to the availability of affordable junk options like ₹49 pizzas, ₹20 energy drinks, and ₹30 burgers, which, he believes, are contributing to India’s growing health issues. He warned that the country might follow the same trajectory as the United States and China in terms of unhealthy eating habits, but without the economic stability to support it.
In his critique, Deshpande pointed out the troubling rise of food delivery platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto.
"Zomato and Swiggy and Zepto - please, dont. And if you are so keen, please make the product palatable," he wrote.
He described how frozen meals, once thought of as a convenience, are now being marketed as the next big thing in the food sector, despite often being made from aged vegetables and pre-cooked ingredients. The meals are quickly reheated, dressed with fresh garnishes like coriander, and then delivered by riders racing against time to meet customers' demands.
Deshpande expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of these “10-minute meals,” calling for more innovation to make food delivery truly nutritious. He warned, "This can power some wild long-term health issues if uncontrolled," adding the importance of cooking as a fundamental adult skill.
“No one is too busy to take 10 minutes out to prepare a decent meal,” he stressed, advocating for more home-cooked meals like dal chawal, smoothies, salads, and sandwiches.
Deshpande’s comments prompted a wide range of responses. Some advised him to delete food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy to which Deshpande replied: "extreme. Just watch what you're eating.”
Others expressed concerns about the potential economic consequences of a food delivery industry dominated by large players.
"The bigger issue is that a lot of this will lead to massive unemployment," one commenter wrote, highlighting the rise of monopolies in the sector.
There were also differing opinions on the preservation and delivery of food. Some suggested that the issue lies in the way food is preserved, and called for greater distinctions between fresh, chilled, retorted, and frozen meals. Deshpande responded by acknowledging that while the rise of ready-to-eat meals may present a challenge, it could also be a source of innovation in the food space.
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