Reddit and X Buzz with Theories of Drugs, Vapes Behind Zomato’s ‘One-Dish’ Restaurants

Food delivery giant Zomato has addressed concerns over a recent viral controversy involving suspicious "one-dish" restaurants on its platform. These outlets, offering cryptically named items like "Naughty Strawberry" and "Merry Berry" at exorbitant prices, sparked speculation among users. The controversy emerged after netizens flagged these listings on social media, questioning their legitimacy and intent.

In a post on X dated November 20, Zomato confirmed it had identified and delisted these suspicious outlets. The company also began investigating other restaurants with limited menus to ensure they adhered to platform policies. "As per our policy, all restaurants listed on Zomato must possess a valid FSSAI license.

Zomato clarified that all restaurants listed on their platform must hold a valid FSSAI license and reiterated their policy against listing prohibited items such as alcohol, cigarettes, or vaping products. Despite these measures, the company admitted that some "one-dish" outlets had managed to bypass their fraud checks using vague, generic names.

"We’ve strengthened our checks to proactively identify and prevent such cases in the future," the spokesperson added.

What Are 'One-Dish' Restaurants?

The trend came to light when users in Chandigarh noticed eateries on Zomato offering just one item, often priced unusually high, without clear descriptions or reviews.

An X user said, "Those look like flavours of juice that you put into your vapes. Pricing also looks consistent." Another said, "True. I know of an exact such operation in another city, that essentially sells vape pens/cartridges. The price is almost the same, Rs 1000- Rs 1200 per item."

While an user also speculated, "Could it be a way to deliver drugs? With price this high, only a few people will order. And them few will already be aware of what it contains, i.e., drugs. Just a thought."

A Reddit post on the topic sparked widespread attention, with theories ranging from these outlets being fronts for illegal activities like drug delivery or money laundering to them referring to vape flavors.

The bizarre phenomenon led to intense online scrutiny, with some calling for stricter regulations and transparency in online food delivery platforms.

As Zomato takes measures to restore trust, this episode highlights the need for robust fraud detection mechanisms in digital marketplaces, where anonymity and loopholes can sometimes be exploited.

Strengthening Fraud Prevention Measures

Zomato acknowledged that the fraudulent outlets had exploited loopholes in its system, prompting the platform to bolster its fraud detection mechanisms. The company, however, did not confirm whether law enforcement agencies would investigate the matter further, leaving the possibility open for additional scrutiny.

A Week of Public Criticism

The issue surrounding "one-dish" restaurants is not the only controversy Zomato has faced recently. Earlier this week, the company's CEO, Deepinder Goyal, came under fire for announcing a chief of staff role with an unusual application requirement: applicants were expected to pay ₹20 lakhs to the company instead of receiving a salary during the first year.

The job post sparked fierce debate online. Supporters compared the payment to an investment similar to pursuing an MBA, while critics slammed it as exclusionary and potentially exploitative. Facing backlash, Goyal clarified that the ₹20 lakh demand would not be enforced, describing it as a "filter" to identify committed applicants who wouldn’t give up easily.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Josna Lewis/MSM)