Concerns have been raised by statements from the president of the Cyprus Consumers Association, Marios Drousiotis, regarding laboratory tests conducted on food delivery boxes and bags used by riders.
According to his public remarks, the association received complaints about the external condition of delivery containers and proceeded to conduct tests through a certified laboratory. The results, he said, showed very high levels of three pathogenic organisms that could cause food poisoning.
Although he clarified that the sample cannot be considered representative, the findings add to existing concerns regarding food preparation and delivery conditions.
Inspection campaign
This is why the Health Services are planning a campaign to inspect food delivery conditions from motorcycle riders, in cooperation with the Police and municipalities.
The head of Health Services, Herodotos Herodotou, said ways are being examined to strengthen inspections, as on-the-spot checks during deliveries present practical difficulties.
As he explained, it is not easy for inspectors to stop delivery riders on the road and carry out checks on transport boxes. For this reason, cooperation with the Police is being promoted to organise coordinated inspection campaigns and ensure more effective oversight.
According to Herodotou, complaints mainly concern the cleanliness of delivery boxes, including reports that they may also be used for other purposes, such as storing personal items or being left in shared areas of apartment buildings, raising hygiene concerns.
He clarified, however, that no cases of food poisoning or other serious incidents linked to food delivery conditions have been recorded so far.
“Legislative changes needed”
The issue also highlights a regulatory gap. Herodotou noted that systematic inspections of delivery workers during their shifts are not currently carried out.
At the same time, he pointed out that the operating model of delivery platforms creates a complex chain of responsibility, as platforms describe themselves as intermediaries between businesses, consumers and transport providers, while many riders are self-employed or hired through third-party companies.
Asked whether current legislation is sufficient, he was clear in stating that “legislative changes are needed”.
Karayiannis reassures
Speaking to Politis radio, microbiologist and molecular virologist Petros Karayiannis appeared calm regarding the immediate risk posed by delivery bags, without downplaying the need for caution.
He said that when food is freshly cooked and properly packaged, the risk is not particularly high, provided that packaging is discarded immediately and not placed on surfaces where food is handled.
He linked the issue to the need for strict hygiene practices, especially during the summer months when high temperatures encourage bacterial growth.
He also noted that if there were a serious and widespread problem, significantly more cases of food poisoning would be recorded.
This, however, does not diminish the need for cleanliness, inspections and proper handling of food transport boxes and bags.
