The Hidden Dangers of Careless Grocery Shopping & Delivery

Imagine this: You’ve just ordered your weekly groceries through a delivery app, feeling like a productivity wizard for not having to dodge shopping carts in the aisles, or a ninja escaping society. But when your groceries arrive, disaster looms. Your bread looks like it went through a street fight, raw chicken is cozying up to your apples, and your milk is one degree away from turning into yogurt. Who put the popsicles next to the rotisserie?! Annoying? Absolutely.

But here’s the kicker:

Careless grocery handling doesn’t just lead to minor frustrations—it can actually put your health at serious risk.

While there isn’t specific data directly linking an increase in grocery delivery to a rise in foodborne illnesses, there are general indicators that food safety risks remain a concern. For example, in 2023, the incidence of several foodborne diseases such as Campylobacter, E. coli, and Yersinia increased, according to CDC data.

Furthermore, as your favorite grocery app squeezes two more orders alongside yours, because you won’t mind (or you don’t know) that an additional five miles might turn your frozen meatballs into a hot & ready meat-zah meat-zah, the care and concern for your grocery order is a problem that stems from the top down.

Yes, folks, your personal shopper might be playing fast and loose with your safety, but their desire for money trumps food safety at every level. Personally, I have received very appealing “Add-On” orders when all of the perishables of the initial order are sitting in the cart. And the new order pay incentive is appealing. While ethically, morally, and logically the shopper should deny it, the truth is they are hungry for the money - and that add-on may spoil the entirety of the service. This is a serious issue that needs addressed. But not with Jonathan Shops. We guarantee to shop one order at a time to limit the food poisoning America.

1. Foodborne Illness: The Unwanted Side Dish

Cross-contamination is no joke. When raw meats and fresh produce mingle, it’s not the start of a delicious meal—it’s a bacterial disaster waiting to happen. Harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli can transfer from that raw chicken to your lettuce, turning your next salad into a trip to the ER. If your shopper is too busy trying to hit “substitute” buttons to separate the chicken from your fruit, you could be in for a not-so-tasty case of food poisoning.

And let’s not forget perishables. If your dairy or deli meats get a little too cozy with room temperature in the backseat of a hot car, bacteria will throw the ultimate growth party. Your carton of eggs? Say hello to your new science experiment—bacterial petri dish included.

2. Allergic Reactions: One Wrong Substitution Could Spell Trouble

For those with food allergies, a careless shopper is a ticking time bomb. One thoughtless substitution—like regular bread instead of gluten-free or the wrong brand of peanut butter—and things can go from “inconvenient” to “ambulance ride” real quick. Even a bit of cross-contamination (like a peanut butter jar snuggling up to other products) can trigger life-threatening reactions. A shopper who skimps on allergy notes isn’t just risking a bad review—they’re risking your health.

With Jonathan Shops, our Dietary and Nutritional questionnaire covers specific concerns that we use as a guide on every shop. The more we know about the needs of our customers, the safer we can provide their groceries.

3. Spoiled or Damaged Products: Not Just an Annoyance—A Moldy Nightmare

Sure, a bruised banana might seem harmless, but it’s a sign of bigger issues. Damaged packaging—especially with raw meats—can introduce bacteria that make your food spoil faster. Crushed or damaged produce shortens its shelf life and could lead to a moldy situation faster than you’d expect. And if your shopper isn’t paying attention to expiration dates, you could end up with food that’s one sniff away from the trash bin. Spoiled food doesn’t just taste bad—it could send you sprinting to the bathroom.

Jonathan Shops recently posted a blog on expiration dates, use-by dates, sell-by dates, and born-on dates. Check it out here.

4. Cross-Contamination: When Groceries and Chemicals Team Up

Careless bagging isn’t just a meat-and-veggie problem. Imagine your shopper tossing a bottle of bleach in with your cereal. If there’s a leak, you’re now dealing with a loaf of bread soaked in cleaning chemicals. Not only is this disgusting, it’s seriously hazardous. Mixing groceries with household cleaners or chemicals can lead to dangerous contamination, and no one’s looking to season their salad with bleach.

Jonathan Shops will always separate cleaning products from food. Who wants Comet-sprinkles on their muffins?

5. Mishandling Frozen or Refrigerated Goods: The Freezer Burn of Doom

Ever received your frozen pizza half-thawed? That’s a problem. When your shopper fails to maintain the cold chain (basically, keeping cold stuff cold), bacteria can start multiplying like they’re at a frat party. And if your ice cream goes through the thaw-refreeze cycle, it’s not just the texture that’s wrecked—certain foods can become unsafe to eat. You might as well put that “frozen” pizza on the shelf next to your crackers. (Don’t do that. Please respect the crackers.)

6. Physical Hazards: Broken Glass and Surprise Injuries

Nothing says “fun” like opening your grocery bag to find a glass jar of spaghetti sauce has shattered. Now, you’re not just cleaning up a mess—you’re dodging tiny glass shards that could’ve infiltrated your other groceries. One careless toss by your shopper and suddenly, you’ve got a bag full of hidden dangers. Broken glass, torn packaging, and leaking products are more than just a nuisance—they’re a hazard waiting to happen.

7. Mislabeling or Misdelivery: The Silent Threat

Dietary restrictions are no joke, and receiving the wrong groceries can have serious consequences. If you asked for organic-only produce but get conventional, you may unknowingly consume pesticides or chemicals you were actively trying to avoid. A shopper who ignores specific requests or fails to double-check labels is putting your health at risk, especially for those with food intolerances or sensitivities.

At Jonathan Shops, our Dietary and Nutritional Questionnaire is key to providing an unbeatable level of service.

8. Unsafe Substitutions: Not All Swaps Are Created Equal

Substitutions happen—it’s part of the grocery delivery game. But careless substitutions can cause major issues. Swapping out gluten-free items for regular wheat products or dairy-free alternatives for the real thing can leave customers with severe dietary restrictions in a serious bind. Your thoughtful shopper should know better; a careless one might just throw in whatever’s handy, leading to much more than just frustration. Many customers are not available during the time shoppers shop, and it’s important for shoppers to read through the lines by recognizing patterns in the other items they’re requesting.

9. Packaging and Weight Issues: More Than Just Squished Bread

Placing heavy cans on top of fragile items isn’t just annoying—it’s a potential food massacre. Delicate products like eggs, chips, or that perfectly fluffy loaf of bread can be ruined if your shopper doesn’t know how to bag properly. Not only does this lead to food waste, but it’s also an unnecessary expense that could’ve been avoided if someone just took a little more care.

Jonathan Shops prefers to use paper grocery bags, however, there are times when it’s practical to use plastic (two-liters, milks, etc). We are moving towards reusable and washable bags for our customers, but our budget is really low. We started a Buy Me a Coffee account, except ours is Buy Me a Reusable Bag.

Like the milkman and the milk crate, we’re trying to bring back the personal in grocery delivery while helping the environment a little. Jonathan Shops is a Native American-owned company, by the way.

10. Improper Storage: The Slow Spoilage You Didn’t See Coming

Mixing products that need different storage conditions is a disaster waiting to happen. If room-temperature items are tossed in with perishables, your groceries could spoil faster than expected. That ground beef might seem fine when it arrives, but you might find it turning funky in the fridge sooner than it should, thanks to improper storage and concern.

The Bottom Line: Careless Shopping Is Risky Business

When personal shoppers don’t take care with your groceries, the risks go way beyond inconvenience—they can put your health at serious risk. From foodborne illnesses to cross-contamination, spoiled goods, and allergic reactions, every step of the process matters. So the next time you place an order, remember: you’re not just looking for someone to grab your groceries—you’re trusting them to handle your food like it’s their next meal.

Important Note:

There are lots of great shoppers that have logic and reason due to their own experiences in grocery shopping and food handling, but the app delivery companies fail in accepting responsibility for the service. This was a major request from Jonathan Shops customers due to their items not being edible, however, not realizing it until days later.

Here’s to the careful shoppers out there—the ones who keep the raw chicken far from the apples, handle your eggs like they’re made of gold, and make sure your milk is colder than your ex’s heart. You’re the unsung heroes, keeping us safe one delivery at a time. And bag your own groceries. You can’t pass the blame on the store. But the store can pass blame on the shop and deliver apps, and their methods that focus on profit rather than people.

Come checkout, and checkout with, Jonathan Shops, after that diarrhea and barf subsides.