Cyprus health authorities address food safety concerns in delivery services

Cyprus Health Services have issued warnings to food platforms such as Foody and Wolt following a surge in consumer complaints regarding the hygiene of delivery containers. Reported issues include dirty, damaged, and poorly maintained motorcycle storage boxes, with some reports noting the storage of personal items like clothing alongside food. Officials have contacted the Employers and Industrialists Federation and the Chamber of Commerce to demand stricter oversight of transport conditions. The ministry highlights that the self-employed status of many delivery drivers, who are often foreign nationals without permanent residency, complicates formal inspection and regulatory enforcement. This public health warning coincides with concerns following a recent salmonella outbreak in Limassol that affected 70 people and led to 21 hospitalizations, though the specific link to delivery platforms remains under investigation. Industry representatives suggest current measures include driver training and bi-annual equipment replacement. Authorities maintain that food safety is a shared responsibility between restaurants, platforms, and individual couriers. Ongoing discussions are evaluating the implementation of additional sanitation measures to prevent future contamination.