One Zepto customer recently took to social media to report a disturbing experience with a chicken product ordered on the quick-commerce platform. Ahtsham Malik, who is a video creator, shared a video on Instagram claiming he had discovered insects in ‘Meat 99’ chicken. Malik wrote in his post that he had ordered groceries from Zepto at night. One of the things ordered was the packaged chicken, which at first sight seemed fine except that it had a little odour. When he cooked it, he found insects within the chicken. This shocked him, and he advised others as a warning.
Zepto Chicken Controversy: Public Reactions & Social Media Concerns
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Malik’s video went viral online in a matter of hours, and netizens reacted in a flurry of comments. Several users also expressed their own concerns over the quality of food that was being sold online.
One consumer shared a similar experience, expressing that they too had once gotten spoilt meat from the same company. Others were critical of companies selling such commodities without proper quality checks.
But not all responses were sympathetic. Some users dismissed the complaint, joking about ‘extra protein’ in the chicken, while others highlighted how corporate carelessness tends to be blown out of proportion by irrelevant arguments.
Zepto’s Official Response & Measures Taken
Post the viral video, Zepto posted an official response to the allegations. The company assured customer safety and product quality are their most important priorities. They stated they carried out internal quality checks and discovered no earlier complaints against the brand. Moreover, they took prompt action to delist the product from their portal as a precautionary step.
Zepto has also clarified that they strictly coordinate with sellers to ensure only the best products are delivered to their customers. The episode has raised concerns about food safety standards again, which must be kept tight by online grocery platforms.
With the advent of quick e-commerce companies, rigorous quality checks have never been more important. While Zepto has begun to take corrective actions, the incidents serve as an eye-opener to customers to be careful while buying perishable items online.
Given the conflict of food safety concerns always, this case shows how much responsibility and transparency e-commerce portals need to indulge in.
Also Read: Delhi Man Thinks Cabbage Ordered From Zepto Is Fake; Chef Nehal Karkera Schools Him
Will that put online food vendors more squarely in the regulator’s crosshairs? Only time will tell.
Cover Image Courtesy: @imtaashi/Instagram
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First Published: February 25, 2025 12:28 PM