https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/coconuts.co/singapore/news/deliveroo-provide-peace-mind-muslim-patrons-halal-bags-netizens-mixed-reactions/amp/

Helping to ensure a peace of mind for its Muslim vendors and customers, Deliveroo has launched a new facet to its food delivery service: delivery bags meant to transport only halal orders.

A decision made in response to requests from Muslim customers and halal-certified restaurants, the bags will be handed out progressively to its 6,000-strong fleet of riders across the next couple of months. Riders will be instructed to use these bags for food and drinks acquired from halal-certified restaurants.

Of course, the introduction of this segregation plays a part in Deliveroo’s business too. In a statement made today, the food delivery service expects to increase the number of both halal-certified restaurant partners (now numbering close to 100) and Muslim users after the introduction of halal-only delivery bags.

The previous delivery arrangements must have troubled some Muslim patrons and vendors enough to request for this new system. During trips, Deliveroo riders could be transporting a mix of food orders from various restaurants in a single bag, and that produces the possibility of getting halal food “tainted” with non-halal ingredients like pork or alcohol. Having a special bag just for halal orders ensures appropriate handling, and thus, fewer worries about dietary restrictions for Muslims.

Though the exact figures of the requests aren’t disclosed, a Deliveroo spokesperson informed Coconuts Singapore that they were substantial enough to spur the company to launch the service here before any other markets it operates in.

Bits of backlash Here’s the thing. It’s just another receptacle for riders to carry along with them — there’s no guarantee that riders won’t put non-halal stuff inside the halal-only delivery bags, whether intentional or not.

Honestly, it’s great that Deliveroo is making a deliberate business decision to be inclusive to Muslims by going the extra step to meet their needs. It does, however, open a whole other can of worms. Is there a need for other types of bags meant for customers with other dietary restrictions?

As laudable as Deliveroo’s move may be, it’s getting some pretty polarising reactions online.

“Extra peace of mind”

But netizens actually don’t have to get worked up. To clarify, these halal-only bags are simply an “additional layer” to the existing takeaway packaging that the halal order comes in, according to a Deliveroo spokesperson. On the app itself, riders will be briefed to use the receptacles when they are picking up an order from a halal-certified restaurant.

As far as the company and its restaurant partners are concerned, halal-only delivery bags are a welcome addition to the service.

“The halal-only delivery bags will give both our customers and restaurant partners extra peace of mind when they order or work with us,” says Siddharth Shanker, General Manager of Deliveroo Singapore.

“We are heartened by Deliveroo’s steps to have our halal-certified sushi rolls delivered in designated delivery bags, as we follow stringent guidelines in halal food management in all our outlets,” offered Maki-San’s marketing manager Stacy Teo.