Dark kitchens are popping up everywhere, but what are they and why does it matter?
When you order food through an app, how much do you know about where you're buying it from? It could be a restaurant on the local main street or one located in a warehouse in a faraway industrial park.
Dark kitchens are rapidly emerging as a new type of food service establishment, operating primarily through online delivery platforms. These technology-enabled commercial kitchens prepare food for immediate consumption in response to on-demand orders. They account for about 15% of food retailers listed on major delivery platforms in England. Despite their growth, many aspects of dark kitchens remain unclear to consumers and regulators.
A recent investigation found concerns about food hygiene standards and potential illegal employment at dark kitchens, but acknowledged that many meet required standards. However, consumers are generally unaware of dark kitchens. A survey of 2,023 UK adults found that only 25% had heard of them and 9% had knowingly bought food from one. Despite this lack of awareness, 55% of participants said they would consider purchasing from a dark kitchen if they understood the concept better.
The terminology surrounding dark kitchens is inconsistent, with terms such as dark, ghost, cloud, and virtual used interchangeably. This inconsistency complicates regulation and communication between stakeholders. Professionals involved in food regulation are also uncertain about these businesses. Only 16 out of 36 professionals from 25 local authorities were aware of dark kitchens operating in their areas, and even then, definitions varied between departments.
While dark kitchens must still comply with food safety laws, identifying and monitoring them consistently across different local authorities is challenging. Existing planning and regulatory frameworks may not be effective, as these businesses can change more quickly than the rules governing them. Dark kitchens may sell unhealthy food and operate outside planning policies designed for physical premises, potentially undermining restrictions on takeout restaurants near schools.
The implications of dark kitchens extend to public health, food allergies, and intolerances. Current evidence does not show whether dark kitchens contribute to poor health or offer less healthy options than conventional takeout restaurants. However, as delivery apps make it easier to access these foods, clearer definitions, better information-sharing between local authority departments, and greater transparency on delivery apps are essential to address potential risks to food safety, allergen management, and public health.
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