China to Tighten Food Delivery Oversight Targeting Ghost Kitchens

Kentaro Shiozaki and Tomoko Wakasugi

Lax screening by delivery app operators in China has allowed fake vendors to register on the platforms. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)

BEIJING/SHANGHAI — Starting in June, the Chinese government will intensify its crackdown on food delivery platforms, launching unannounced inspections to remove restaurants operating without proper licenses or claiming false physical locations.

The move targets platform operators like Meituan that have faced criticism for inadequate verification of vendor listings against actual storefronts, allowing nonexistent or misrepresented restaurants to appear on their apps.

Source link