LETTERS: Food delivery apps offer convenience and a variety of food to consumers.
Many Malaysians, especially those busy with work or with families, opt for food delivery services to save time.
Unfortunately, takeaway food is often less healthy than meals cooked at home, as consumers have no control over how the food is prepared.
This easy access to unhealthy food contributes to rising health issues in Malaysia.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (2019) found that nearly half of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese, one in five has diabetes, and one in three has high blood pressure.
In fact, noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, account for 75 per cent of deaths in Malaysia.
This statistics is alarming and to address it we need to think creatively about how to support Malaysians in making healthier food choices.
This is where food delivery apps can play an important role. They can help to communicate the importance of healthier eating.
This can be done by highlighting healthy options, providing nutritional information, and offering tips and advice. Some companies are already implementing this.
The Zomato app in India has a "Healthy" section that features healthier food options.
They also provide nutritional information for each item, such as the number of calories, and fat and protein content, helping customers make informed decisions.
Food delivery apps can also change their user interface to "nudge" consumers towards healthier choices.
For example, the World Health Organisation has piloted a project with Ele.me, one of China's leading food delivery apps, to test the impact of adding a choice of low-salt versions of individual dishes.
Similarly, the United Kingdom-based Nesta is testing how different ways of presenting information in an app can affect consumers' food choices.
Food delivery apps can also partner with restaurants offering healthy options, as well as incentivising healthier options by offering discounts or promotions.
This can encourage people to choose nutritious meals instead of unhealthy options, which are
often cheaper.
Several food delivery apps around the world are moving towards this healthier model.
The consumer profile is also changing, with our society becoming more conscious of the need to look after our own health.
It is, therefore, time that Malaysian food delivery apps also take the lead in promoting healthy eating habits towards better health for Malaysians.
DR SHAFIZAN MOHAMED
Communication and Media Centre, International Islamic University Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times