Consumer Q&A – Food Deliveries

Q When I order food through Uber Eats, DoorDash, or similar services, the delivery person often puts the food in insulated bags to keep it hot. I assume those same insulated bags are also used for non-kosher deliveries. Does this create a kashrus concern for my food?

A Lechatchila, it is certainly preferable to avoid having kosher food stored in insulated bags that are also used for non-kosher deliveries. If possible, one should request that their order is not stored in a bag that is also used for non-kosher food.

However, if your kosher order was placed inside one of these insulated bags, it remains permissible to eat because the kosher food is fully sealed (with kosher tape, a stapled bag, or a closed box), which prevents any crossover of taste or steam.

Even if the packaging has holes for the steam to escape (common with pizza boxes), if non-kosher food was not in the insulated bag at the same time, the fact that non-kosher food had previously been delivered in that bag does not affect the kashrus of your food, b’dieved.

If you notice (although this is highly unlikely) that your kosher order was in the insulated bag together with non-kosher food at the same time, and your packaging has steam-escape holes, you should consult a Rav to determine how to proceed.