It's the foodservice and grocery delivery boom’s untold risk.
From hot meals to fresh groceries, delivery has never been more convenient for customers – but with it comes a hidden threat to businesses: tampering.
Issues such as:
- Missing items
- Spilt or damaged goods
- Cross-contamination
- Packaging that looks insecure or has clearly been opened
...can lead to frustrated customers and rising costs.
Restaurants, takeaways, and grocery retailers receive many customer complaints around these issues, and they can develop into a huge financial impact as well as operational headaches and – worst of all – damage to brand reputation.
EP Group breaks down what every food delivery business needs to understand about the real cost of unsealed or poorly packaged deliveries — and what can be done to protect against them.
What’s the Real Cost of Tampering?
Tampering is not as rare as it might seem – but even a small number of incidents can lead to escalating costs, which hit businesses in three critical areas:
- Financial Losses That Add Up For every refund, replacement, or compensated delivery, profit margins shrink. "Quick fixes" like extra adhesive strips, labels, and staples are often used, but these only add to costs without addressing the core issue. They also take up more precious time in the packing process.
- Damage to Brand Reputation Customers interact with brands online, often using the same device they ordered with to share their experience with their social group. A single complaint can easily turn into a viral post – making potential customers question retailers. Damage to reputation is expensive – far costlier than prevention.
- Operational Disruption Handling complaints, investigating incidents, and retraining staff on packaging procedures all consume valuable resources. As businesses grow, these issues can also grow – particularly when using third-party delivery services.
A Sealed Bag = A Safer, Stronger Brand
The most effective way to reduce these risks is by using a delivery bag that’s secure, sealed, and ideally tamper-evident.
Whether it’s a hot meal or a chilled grocery order, a properly sealed bag sends a clear message: this order hasn’t been touched since it left the retailer’s premises.
That’s why more delivery-focused businesses are adopting solutions like tamper-evident paper bags.
Tamper-Evident Bags Make Complete Business Sense
Tamper-evident bags don’t just stop tampering; they actively protect businesses from hidden costs. Grocery and foodservice retailers are switching to tamper-evident bags because they achieve:
- Fewer refund requests
- Reduced customer complaints
- Increased confidence in their brand
More importantly, these solutions send a clear message: "We care about our customers, our planet, and our reputation."
One of the most effective options on the market is EP Group’s SealSafe™ bag: a fully recyclable paper bag with built-in tamper-evidence. Once sealed, it cannot be reopened without clear signs – giving customers confidence and peace of mind.
Don’t Let Hidden Costs Sneak Up
The costs of tampering aren’t always obvious – but they are there, eating away at profits and brand reputation.
A proper solution seals away the risks, builds customer loyalty, and reduces environmental impact. For foodservice and grocery retailers, the question is clear: can businesses afford not to act?