The EU Legal Framework for Meal Delivery Apps: Challenges and Implications

Over the past decade, the food sector has experienced a significant digital transformation, with the internet playing an increasingly central role in food sales. While digitalisation offers substantial opportunities, it also raises concerns about food safety and regulatory compliance. This article focuses on Meal Delivery Apps (MDAs), a sub-category of E-food platforms, which operate under two main business models: ‘aggregator apps’ and ‘new delivery platforms.’Within the European Union, the regulatory framework governing MDAs remains fragmented, reflecting their dual classification as both ‘food businesses’ and ‘information society services’ providers. Existing legislation has struggled to accommodate the unique operational characteristics of these platforms, resulting in persistent legal uncertainty and regulatory gaps. This article provides a comprehensive legal analysis of the EU legal framework applicable to MDAs, critically evaluating its adequacy in addressing platform responsibilities and safeguarding consumers' health, safety, and interests.Ultimately, it assesseswhether current EU legislation can be considered ‘fit for purpose’ in regulatingMDAs within an evolving digital food economy.