SB/T 11254-2025 in English

Background and Significance of Standard Development

SB/T 11254-2025, "Catering Delivery Service and Management Requirements," is China's first industry standard specifically for catering delivery services. It is administered by the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services, with the China Cuisine Association responsible for interpreting the specific technical content. The standard will officially take effect on January 1, 2026, marking a new stage of standardized and regular development for my country's catering delivery services.

With the rapid development of the food delivery industry, the scale of my country's online food delivery market exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan in 2024. However, issues such as a lack of service standards, food safety risks, and irregular delivery have become increasingly prominent. This standard was developed against this backdrop, aiming to establish a unified system of catering delivery service specifications and improve the overall service level of the industry.

Scope of application and exclusions of the standard

This standard applies to catering service operators providing food delivery services through self-built platforms, third-party online catering service platforms, and catering delivery service units. It is worth noting that the standard clearly states that it does not apply to errand and purchasing services provided by third-party platforms and catering delivery service units, as well as food delivery services provided by central kitchens and collective dining units.

Core terminology definition analysis

The standard provides clear definitions of key terms, laying the foundation for a unified understanding within the industry:

Catering deliveryFood delivery services where consumers order food through a catering service operator's own platform or a third-party platform, and the food is delivered to a designated location by a delivery person. This definition covers both single customer orders and multiple orders from enterprises, institutions, organizations, and communities.

Delivery box: A sealed container used to hold food to be delivered, which can prevent food from being contaminated during the delivery process and meet the requirements of insulation, including delivery bags.

Catering delivery service unit: An enterprise specializing in catering delivery services, which is different from traditional catering service operators.

Basic requirements system analysis

The standard requires online catering service operators and catering delivery service units to establish a complete management system:

Management requirements for delivery service providers and delivery personnel

The standard sets out specific management requirements for food delivery service providers and delivery personnel:

Health management system: Food delivery service providers should establish a health management system for delivery personnel to ensure that their health meets requirements.

Training system: Delivery personnel should receive regular training on relevant laws and regulations, professional ethics, service standards, and safety, and maintain training records. Training content should include practical knowledge of the local geographical environment, traffic conditions, and other aspects.

Personal hygiene and attire: Delivery personnel should maintain personal hygiene while on duty, dress neatly and in accordance with requirements, and demonstrate a professional service image.

Safety Protection: Before delivery, inspect the transportation vehicle to ensure compliance with local traffic regulations and safety standards. Personal safety precautions should be taken when delivering food.

Detailed Explanation of Food Preparation Specifications for Delivery

The standard sets out detailed requirements for the preparation of food for delivery:

Food Safety Basics: The preparation of food for delivery must comply with the requirements of GB 31654, "National Food Safety Standard, General Hygiene Specification for Catering Services," which is the fundamental guarantee for food safety.

Information Transparency: Online catering service operators should provide consumers with information such as the food name, main ingredients, flavor, portion size, or the recommended number of customers on their platform pages. Labeling methods should refer to the requirements of GB/T 40041, "Standards for the Description of Takeaway Food Information." Labeling of information such as allergens and nutritional information is encouraged. Anti-food waste measures: Online catering operators should reasonably determine quantity and portion size, offering various options such as "small rice portions," "small vegetable portions," and "small meals." They should also remind consumers to order appropriate amounts through platforms or on takeout packaging to reduce food waste. Time management: Online catering operators and food delivery providers should agree on reasonable pickup and delivery times, ensuring that the time between cooking and delivery (the time limit for consumption) complies with the requirements of GB 31654.

Analysis of the whole process of preparation requirements before delivery

The standard specifies in detail the preparation work before delivery:

Standardized requirements for delivery services

The standard sets out specific operational specifications for delivery services:

Punctuality requirementsSealing protectionSealing measures for takeoutEnsure delivery safetyTime markingProcessing time and expiration dateFood safety reminders

Standardized requirements for delivery services

The standard sets out specific operational specifications for delivery services:

On-time requirementsAfter accepting an order, delivery personnel should verify the order information and arrive at the agreed location within the agreed time. In the event of special circumstances, they should communicate with consumers promptly to demonstrate professional service.

Delivery box managementIf the delivery box cannot be brought with you during delivery, it should be promptly sealed after the food is picked up. Locking the delivery box is encouraged to ensure food safety.

Food Protection: Food should be protected from squeezing during delivery. Food that is prone to deformation during delivery should be stored separately to ensure food quality.

Contactless Delivery: In the event of a public health incident or other situation, delivery personnel should communicate with consumers to adopt contactless delivery methods and place delivered food in a food collection cabinet or other designated location.

Consumer Reminders: Packaging should be kept intact during delivery. Delivery personnel should use appropriate methods to remind consumers to consume food as soon as possible and store it properly, demonstrating attentive service.

Satisfaction Survey Mechanism Construction

The standard establishes a comprehensive satisfaction survey mechanism:

Instant Feedback: At the end of a food delivery service, the self-built platform or third-party platform should pop up relevant satisfaction survey content on the service page to facilitate consumers to provide timely feedback on their service experience.

Continuous Improvement: Online catering service operators and food delivery service providers should review satisfaction surveys monthly, identify issues, and promptly address them, forming a closed-loop management system to continuously improve service quality.

Standard Implementation Recommendations and Response Strategies

Based on the standard's content, implementation recommendations are provided for various entities:

Catering Service Operators: They should promptly establish delivery operating standards or processes that meet the standard's requirements, focusing on improving food safety management and anti-food waste measures, offering smaller portions, and optimizing takeout packaging and labeling systems.

Food Delivery Service Providers: They need to establish a comprehensive health management and training system for delivery personnel, strengthen the cleaning and disinfection of delivery boxes and other equipment, and improve food safety precautions during the delivery process.

Third-Party Platforms: They should optimize platform functionality, provide the information labeling page areas and channels required by the standard, improve the order information display system, and establish a standardized satisfaction survey mechanism.

Regulatory agencies: It is recommended to formulate corresponding supervision and inspection guidelines, clarify law enforcement standards, and promote the effective implementation of standards across the industry.

The implementation of this standard will significantly improve the standardization of my country's catering delivery services, promote the healthy and orderly development of the catering takeaway industry, and provide consumers with a safer and higher-quality takeaway service experience.