10-Minute Delivery? CEO Shantanu Deshpande Asks Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto to Focus on 'Quality'

As quick-commerce races for a 10-minute delivery to stay ahead of the curve in the highly competitive market, Bombay Shaving Company chief executive officer Shantanu Deshpande has criticised this super-fast delivery trend in the country, highlighting concerns about compromised quality and unhealthy operational practices. He has also urged q-comm giants Zomato, Swiggy and Zepto to stop this trend.

Deshpande pointed out that out of laziness to wait another 15 minutes and cook daal rice at home, people are being fed frozen purees and curries and old vegetables heated and garnished with coriander to make it look fresh.

"And all the investors and founders are already finding fancy words for this to bake it into the next big wave of Indian commerce," Deshpande shared in a LinkedIn post.

Concerns over 10 Minutes Delivery

"Cook time 2 min, delivery time 8 min... A 'qcom for food' founder told me this and I lost my mind," said Deshpande.

"We are suffering from the biggest epidemic of poor nutrition and unhealthy processed and ultra-processed food which is high in palm oil and sugar," he highlighted further.

Deshpande also raised his concern over deteriorating nutrition in grains over the last 50 years as everyone prioritised agricultural yield for nutrition.

Read More | Race to 10-Minute Delivery: How Quick Commerce Is Transforming India's Grocery Market

Deshpande also pointed out how the country lacks in proper economic cover required for health but its junk food addiction, fuelled by Rs 49 pizzas and Rs 20 "poison energy drinks" and Rs 30 burgers, is taking India down the path of China and the United States.

He further urged quick-commerce giants like Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto to reconsider this approach, stating that if they are so determined to pursue it, they should at least ensure the product is of acceptable quality.

"I would LOVE if we innovate and are able to actually give non-stale and decent food in 10 min. Massive unlock. But I don't think we're close to there yet," he noted.

"Most of all, everyone else - please cook. It's an adult skill. No one is too busy to take 10 min out to put a decent dal Chawal or smoothie or salad or sandwich together," he added.

Deshpande also requested the food regulator to keep an eye on this trend.