Nicosia, Cyprus. State health services said on Thursday they plan to launch inspections of food delivery drivers to examine the conditions under which food and beverages are transported. The move follows complaints and concerns about the hygiene of delivery boxes.
Planned inspections
Head of health services Herodotos Herodotou told the Cyprus News Agency that the aim is to address the problem and identify solutions. He said the next step is to involve the police and municipalities to coordinate a campaign.
Herodotou said authorities are examining how to carry out inspections of delivery drivers, noting that on-site checks present practical difficulties. He said the health services are seeking to work with police to organise coordinated inspections and improve oversight of the sector.
“It will be much easier to carry out checks with the participation of the police,” he said.
Consumer complaints
Herodotou’s comments came after the consumer association on Wednesday raised concerns about the hygiene of food delivery boxes, warning that contamination could expose consumers to food poisoning and other health risks.
The health services confirmed they had received complaints regarding the cleanliness of transport boxes.
According to the concerns raised, some boxes may be used for purposes unrelated to food delivery, such as storing personal belongings, while others may be left in communal areas of apartment buildings, raising questions about hygiene standards.
Oversight and legislation
Herodotou said no cases of food poisoning or other serious incidents linked to delivery conditions had been recorded to date.
He said legislative changes are needed.
Herodotou said the lack of supervision in the sector was not due to inaction by the health services, but rather to a complex chain of responsibilities involving supervisors, third-party companies and self-employed drivers, making oversight difficult.