Concerns rise of ‘dark kitchens’ may mean customers unsure where there food is from

CONCERNS over the rising number of “dark kitchens” have been raised by councillors, amid claims customers could be left unsure where they are actually ordering their take aways from.

They were told one example of an online customer who returned the unsatisfactory food to the takeaway from which they thought they bought it, only to be told that it had come from somewhere else.

The topic of dark kitchens was raised during an annual report from Bradford Council’s food safety team.

During a discussion on the work of the team, which carries out hygiene reviews and safety inspections, members of the Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee asked about the growing popularity of dark kitchens.

Dark kitchens and ghost kitchens are businesses that produce food solely for delivery.

Unlike restaurants, cafes or take aways do not have any “shopfront” – meaning the public never visit the sites. They are often located in warehouses rather than traditional high street locations.

The way they operate means one kitchen could produce food for several different outlets or brands.

The popularity of dark kitchens has come down to both the rise in food delivery apps and the Covid Pandemic, which saw many traditional food businesses closed.

Although dark kitchens are for the most part a legitimate business practice, councillors had reservations.

Chris of the Committee Kamran Hussain (Lab, Toller) asked the food safety team if they were aware of how many dark kitchens were operating in Bradford.

Angela Brindle, Environmental Health Manager, said: “We know of a few dark kitchens that are registered and regularly inspected. If they are not registered, we have no way of knowing about them – we’d have to rely on other intelligence to let us know they are operating.”

She said online or app based food businesses often only work with producers who are registered with a Council.

Councillor Riaz Ahmed (Lib Dem, Bradford Moor) asked how officers get to know about dark kitchens. Mrs Brindle replied: “We do get members of the public letting us know if they think one has started operating.

“In one incident a member of the public had an issue with the food she ordered and went to the shop she thought it had come from to complain. They told her it didn’t come from there, and when they checked, she ordered it from a different phone number.

“It is a problem, because a business can set up anywhere, and we might not even find out it is operating unless someone lets us know or we walk past.”