近來有大陸當地媒體報導，部分外賣商家在外送平台上的店鋪頭像與實際情況嚴重不符，甚至出現以AI生成圖片作為門面宣傳的情況。這些照片往往看起來光鮮亮麗、裝潢高檔，讓人誤以為是乾淨整潔的餐廳，然而實際上可能只是簡陋的廚房，甚至環境衛生堪憂。由於平台並未對商家進行嚴格的實地審核，而是採取相對寬鬆的線上審核制度，導致不少店家能輕易以虛假或過度美化的圖片通過審核並上架經營。

有市民反映，自己日常通勤經過的某些外賣商家，與平台上展示的圖片差距極大。線上看似氣派的餐廳，實際地點卻是油漬斑斑的小門面，甚至只是隱身於住宅樓或偏僻巷弄中的簡易廚房。由於這些地方的衛生狀況明顯不達標，居民寧願多花時間走遠一點，也不會選擇向這些商家下單。

這一現象引發外界對外賣平台監管制度的質疑。許多人批評平台為快速擴展商戶數量與品類，忽視食品安全與消費者權益，沒有建立完善的實地查核機制，使得假照片、AI圖片以及過度修飾的餐廳形象泛濫。部分消費者呼籲，外賣平台應加強對商家的資質審核與實地檢查，並在店鋪頁面明確標示照片是否為實景拍攝，避免消費者因「照騙」而受誤導，同時也保障公眾的飲食安全。

從食品安全的角度來看，外賣商家使用AI生成或過度修飾的宣傳圖片，不僅僅是誤導消費者的廣告問題，更潛藏嚴重的衛生與健康風險。許多此類商家實際經營環境並不符合食品製作的安全標準，例如廚房面積過小、通風不良、地面與操作台油污積聚、食材儲存不當等情況，都可能成為細菌滋生與食物交叉污染的溫床。這些衛生隱患往往被美化的照片掩蓋，使消費者在毫不知情的情況下下單，增加食源性疾病的風險。

另一方面，平台的審核與監管機制缺失，等於讓「黑廚房」有機可乘。由於缺乏實地檢查，平台主要依賴商家自行上傳的照片與資料進行審核，而這些內容完全可能是經過AI虛構、修圖軟體處理，甚至直接盜用他人餐廳圖片。當外賣訂單成為這些不合規廚房的重要收入來源時，商家缺乏改善環境的動力，長期下來，整個外送市場的食品安全水準將被拖低。

食品安全專家指出，若要從根本上解決這個問題，平台必須建立「實景認證制度」，要求商家提供經過時間戳記的現場照片與影片，並由第三方或平台專員定期到店檢查，同時設立舉報機制，讓消費者能反饋與實際情況不符的商家。此外，對於違規使用AI或虛假圖片的店家，應施以下架與罰款，甚至移送相關部門處理，以杜絕此類「照騙」行為，恢復消費者對外賣服務的信任。

Recently, some mainland Chinese media have reported that certain food delivery merchants on online platforms display storefront images that are seriously inconsistent with reality, with some even using AI-generated pictures as their promotional façade. These photos often appear bright, stylish, and upscale, giving the impression of a clean and well-maintained restaurant, when in fact the actual premises may be nothing more than a shabby kitchen with questionable hygiene standards. Since the platforms generally do not conduct rigorous on-site inspections and instead rely on relatively lax online verification processes, many merchants can easily pass review and start operating with false or overly beautified images.

Some residents have pointed out that certain food delivery businesses they pass during their daily commute look nothing like the images shown online. Restaurants that appear grand and inviting on the platform may turn out to be greasy, rundown storefronts—or even makeshift kitchens hidden in residential buildings or remote alleys. Given the obviously substandard hygiene conditions, locals would rather walk farther to order from other vendors than buy from such establishments.

This phenomenon has sparked public concern over the regulatory practices of food delivery platforms. Critics argue that in their rush to expand the number and variety of merchants, these platforms have neglected food safety and consumer rights, failing to establish a robust on-site verification system. As a result, fake photos, AI-generated images, and heavily retouched visuals of restaurants have proliferated. Some consumers are calling for platforms to tighten their merchant qualification checks and conduct in-person inspections, as well as clearly indicate on store pages whether the photos are real, unaltered shots. This would help prevent customers from being misled by “photo scams” while also safeguarding public food safety.

From a food safety perspective, the use of AI-generated or overly retouched promotional images by food delivery merchants is more than just a false advertising issue—it poses potential hygiene and health risks. Many of these merchants operate in environments that fail to meet basic food preparation safety standards, such as cramped kitchen spaces, poor ventilation, greasy floors and countertops, and improper storage of ingredients. These conditions can become breeding grounds for bacteria and hotspots for cross-contamination. Beautified images conceal these hazards, leaving consumers unaware and increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

Meanwhile, the lack of adequate platform review and monitoring mechanisms creates an opening for so-called “black kitchens” to thrive. Without on-site inspections, platforms rely almost entirely on photos and documents uploaded by merchants—materials that can be fabricated with AI, edited with image software, or even stolen from other restaurants. When food delivery orders become a major income source for these noncompliant kitchens, merchants have little incentive to improve their environment. Over time, this can drag down the overall food safety standards of the entire delivery market.

Food safety experts stress that the only way to address this issue at its root is for platforms to implement a “real-scene verification system.” Merchants should be required to submit timestamped photos and videos of their premises, with regular in-person inspections carried out by third parties or platform staff. In addition, platforms should create a reporting system that allows customers to flag discrepancies between online images and reality. Merchants found guilty of using AI-generated or false images should face removal from the platform, fines, and even referral to the relevant authorities. Such measures would help eliminate “photo scam” practices and restore public trust in food delivery services.