A recent incident in Hong Kong, brought to light via social media, has intensified public scrutiny concerning food safety and courier accountability in the delivery service sector. Following a widely circulated online claim that a Keeta delivery rider consumed a customer’s beverage mid-route, the delivery platform has confirmed the immediate termination of the individual’s service agreement. The controversy quickly escalated as implicated restaurants and online users condemned the behavior, prompting the platform to stress its zero-tolerance policy regarding food tampering.
The allegations surfaced on Threads on November 25, 2025, detailing a rider who reportedly drank a customer’s order. Further posts, including alleged screenshots from the rider’s social media, appeared to show the individual sampling a beverage from a delivery bag, captioned as “testing,” and separately consuming food intended for a customer, which the rider allegedly described as “punishment” for calls about a delivery delay.
Immediate Consequences and Restaurant Action
The claims directly affected local businesses, including a Kwun Tong burger establishment where the rider had reportedly collected an order earlier that day. The restaurant promptly informed the public that it had contacted Keeta, blocked the rider’s account from fulfilling future orders, and retrieved CCTV footage documenting the man entering and leaving the premise. To increase community awareness, the eatery announced plans to display the rider’s image outside the shop. Several affected restaurants reinforced the value of public tip-offs in maintaining service integrity.
The swift online backlash highlighted the public’s eroding confidence in food delivery reliability. Users universally characterized the actions as “revolting” and called for strict consequences beyond mere account termination, with some suggesting legal action citing potential reputational damages to the businesses involved. Adding complexity to the situation, separate online records indicate the same individual had previously faced criticism in September for allegedly misusing an emergency intercom on an MTR platform.
Keeta Implements “Severe Measures”
In response to inquiries regarding the breach of trust and safety protocols, Keeta acknowledged the severity of the situation. The company confirmed the termination of the contract with the individual, stating unequivocally that any courier found to have opened, tampered with, or resealed food or drinks before handing them to a customer will face severe measures upon verification. These actions include contract termination and potential legal liability, depending on the case’s seriousness.
A Keeta spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to food safety and user experience, while emphasizing that the majority of couriers adhere to professional standards. The platform cautioned that isolated incidents should not be allowed to tarnish the reputation of the wider rider community.
The Road Ahead for Delivery Ethics
This incident reignites a critical industry-wide debate concerning the accountability of gig-economy workers and the maintenance of ethical standards in food handling. For consumers, the breach serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability in the delivery chain. Moving forward, both platforms and food establishments will likely face pressure to enhance tracking transparency, implement stricter pre-screening for couriers, and clarify legal recourse for customers who suspect tampering.
Actionable Takeaway: Customers are advised to visually inspect packaging upon delivery and report any suspected tampering immediately to the restaurant and the delivery platform, retaining photographic evidence if possible.