A damning post by a Zepto employee has sparked outrage on social media, raising serious concerns about hygiene and ethical practices at the fast-growing quick-commerce company. The employee, who claims to have worked at Zepto for three years, took to Reddit to share a disturbing account of what allegedly happens behind the scenes of the 10-minute grocery delivery service.
The Reddit user revealed that expired and rotten food items are often knowingly sent out for delivery. “Once, a customer ordered Greek yogurt. We had only three left. All were expired. Still, our store in-charge said, ‘Give it anyway,’” the employee wrote. The user alleged that this wasn’t an isolated incident, and such decisions were routine under pressure to meet delivery promises.
Perhaps more troubling is the claim about the work conditions at Zepto’s Pune store. According to the post, during monsoon season, the store floods with filthy gutter water—right where groceries are packed. “We’ve worked 9+ hours standing in that dirty water without shoes. Many of us fell sick, but no one got medical compensation,” the employee stated. Despite these unsafe conditions, operations reportedly continued without interruption.
The post triggered a wave of reactions across Reddit. Many users expressed horror and concern, while others debated the trade-off between convenience and food safety. “If you buy your own groceries from a store and are able to cook or at least supervise during the cooking process, you are already prioritizing your health in a big way,” one Reddit user commented.
Another user noted the complexity of the issue, acknowledging the convenience that quick-commerce offers. “Not every town has easy access to fresh produce. Some people are taking care of elderly or children and don’t have the luxury to go shopping. But at the very least, we should be able to trust the food being delivered.”
Despite Zepto’s branding as a premium and hyper-efficient service, these allegations could erode customer trust. As of now, Zepto has not issued a public response to the viral Reddit post.
With rising dependence on instant delivery services across urban India, this exposé brings much-needed attention to the unseen realities of quick commerce—and raises important questions about worker safety, food hygiene, and corporate accountability.