Other than the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 USA, Mexico, and Canada, the Brazilians are also talking about the China-owned food delivery app Keeta getting sued in their South American country. The Ridesharing Forum team has more.
China vs. Brazil in food deliveries
iFood, a leading food delivery platform in Brazil, filed a case against Keeta, owned by Meituan, accusing them of unfair competition and obtaining confidential business information improperly.
To be clear, Ridesharing Forum found out that the entire Keeta isn’t the one sued, but Keeta’s unit in the beautiful destination of São Paulo.
Unfair operations and acquiring business information bypassing certain entities are always bad for business.
iFood is also a leading online food delivery and ordering platform in the South American country, which also operates in various parts of Latin America. Just like DoorDash and Uber Eats, it is capable of connecting millions of users with hundreds of thousands of partner restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, and pet shops through a mobile application.
This is interesting since Brazil has strong ties, trade relations, and economic relations with China. So, this turning point is seen as a significant shake-up throughout.
According to China’s leading news agency, Xinhua, today, China is even ready to work with Brazil to further expand the overall China and Latin American cooperation. So, this is a cause and case of doubt.
This case likewise underscores how the South American country has become a key battleground for delivery companies across the globe, together with 99Food by DiDi, and Meituan’s Keeta, locked in immense lawsuits and accusations over exclusivity deals and data practices. At least, they are preventing things to be like a cartel of some sorts.
Details of the lawsuit
Reuters has the details of the lawsuit. It was filed with a business court in beautiful São Paulo, wherein iFood requested a judicial order for its competitor to alter or change its business practices, plus pay, get this, moral damages amounting to around $1.9 million, with additional competition to still be determined.
In the filed case, iFood is accusing that consulting firms subtly approached its workers to obtain confidential and secret business information after receiving “bribes.” Keeta is denying this.
Also, in Brazil’s lawsuit, iFood stated it identified a now-former employee who got into this web of bribery and tasks, showing some proofs, so this led to a police investigation and seizure of electronic devices. This case isn’t closed yet, and is on-going.
For context, Keeta is a food-delivery app owned and managed by Meituan that connects customers, restaurants, and couriers through a mobile app. Consumers browse menus, place orders, pay digitally, and track deliveries in real time. Restaurants prepare the food, couriers pick it up, and Keeta manages logistics, promotions, support, and payments for each order.
A year ago, it unveiled its entry and penetration into the Brazilian food delivery market where iFood is number one, with an initial investment of around $1 billion. This competition needs some bananas to eat first! For more food delivery news, keep it locked right here on Ridesharing Forum!