Puerto Rico lawmaker calls for probe into food delivery app pricing
Rep. Luis Pérez-Ortiz of Puerto Rico’s New Progressive Party has introduced House Resolution 337, directing the House Consumer Affairs Committee to investigate the fee structures and pricing practices of food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The resolution seeks to determine whether these platforms engage in misleading practices, assess compliance with local consumer protection laws, and recommend potential legislative changes.
“Apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash have revolutionized how consumers access food from local restaurants,” the resolution states. “Their popularity in Puerto Rico has surged, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when they became an essential service for thousands of residents.”
Publicly available data shows that Uber Eats has completed more than 11 million deliveries on the island since launching in 2018 and currently has more than 5,000 active drivers.
According to the resolution, concerns have emerged from consumers, businesses and advocacy groups about the transparency of charges applied by these platforms. It states that users often do not see the full cost of an order — including service fees, delivery charges, peak-time surcharges and taxes — until after completing the transaction. This lack of upfront pricing, the resolution adds, can mislead consumers and hinder informed purchasing decisions.
Restaurants have also raised concerns about the high commissions charged per order, which may hurt profitability — particularly for small and family-owned businesses. The resolution states that the platforms’ business model may negatively affect both consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Given the widespread use and economic impact of these services, it is essential for the Consumer Affairs Committee to investigate how prices and fees are determined, how transparent this information is to consumers and merchants, and whether these practices align with Puerto Rico’s consumer protection standards,” the resolution says.
The measure suggests new legislation may be needed to ensure fairer regulation of the platforms.
The resolution’s stated goals are to protect consumer rights, promote fair competition, and ensure that both customers and local businesses benefit equitably from digital food delivery services. The committee is required to submit a final report to the House within 180 days of the resolution’s approval, including its findings, conclusions and any proposed legislative or administrative measures.
