The Court of Justice of Goiás (TJ-GO) has ruled in favor of iFood, permitting the company to maintain a minimum charge on orders processed through its platform. This ruling suspends an earlier first-instance decision that had prohibited such practices nationwide. The decision was made by Judge Ana Cristina Ribeiro Peternella França, who found grounds to justify the suspension of the previous ruling while a definitive analysis of the case is ongoing, allowing iFood to continue its current pricing model during this period.

The prior decision against iFood came from Judge Elaine Christina Alencastro Veiga Araújo, following a public civil action initiated by the Goiás Public Ministry. The court had initially determined that imposing a minimum order value constituted tied selling, an act prohibited under the Consumer Defense Code, as it effectively compelled customers to add additional items to their cart to fulfill the order requirements. The complexity of the issues surrounding consumer rights and corporate practices was underscored in the appeals process as both sides provided legal arguments regarding the implications of such charges.

This development is significant not only for iFood but also for the broader category of online food delivery services in Brazil. The ruling indicates a potential shift in regulatory perspectives concerning minimum charges, which could affect consumer behavior and the operational strategies of similar companies in the meal delivery sector. As the legal process continues, it may set a precedent impacting how delivery platforms can structure their pricing models while balancing consumer rights protection and business profitability.