The Federal Trade Commission announced on Apr. 14 that it is seeking public input regarding potential new rules to address unfair or deceptive fee practices by online food and grocery delivery platforms across the United States.
The move comes as the FTC considers whether a nationwide rule is needed to prevent hidden fees, misleading charges, and unclear pricing that can affect consumers using these services. The agency said it wants feedback from both consumers and industry representatives to help determine how best to protect users from such practices.
Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said, “Online grocery fees that are unclear, inconsistently disclosed, or revealed only at the last moment before consumers make a purchase distort competition and harm consumers.” He added, “Clear and truthful pricing is essential to competitive markets. The Commission’s enforcement track record suggests that consumers continue to face a suite of fees that prevent them from making informed comparisons. The Trump-Vance FTC is committed to addressing unlawful grocery delivery pricing that obscures the true cost of groceries.”
Recent enforcement actions include settlements with major platforms: In December 2025, Instacart agreed to pay $60 million after allegations it falsely advertised free delivery but charged undisclosed service fees at checkout; in December 2024, GrubHub paid $25 million over claims it misled customers about delivery costs. These cases indicate ongoing concerns about hidden or misleading charges despite existing consumer protection efforts.
While several states have enacted laws requiring clearer disclosure of mandatory fees by food and grocery delivery companies, there are currently no uniform national standards covering all platforms. The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) published by the FTC seeks comments on topics such as total price disclosure for orders; clarity around all types of fees; explanations for variable or contingent charges; information about price differences between in-store and online items; personalized pricing disclosures; transparency regarding discounts or promotions; unauthorized billing issues; and other related matters.
Once published in the Federal Register, members of the public will have 30 days to submit comments electronically or by mail following instructions provided in the notice. The FTC states its broader mission is promoting competition while protecting consumers through education and enforcement.
