Following the case of mass food poisoning in Limassol, which brought food safety issues back into sharp focus, another worrying trend is emerging regarding what happens after food leaves kitchens. This time, the issue does not concern catering services or event venues, but the transport of ready-made food via online delivery platforms – a sector that has seen rapid growth in recent years and has become part of everyday life for thousands of consumers. Delivery is no longer a supplementary service for a few restaurants. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, food delivery platforms have taken on a central role in the market, with a large part of the food and retail sector now relying on them.
However, behind the speed and convenience of ordering, a critical gap is becoming apparent: the distribution stage, from collection to delivery, does not appear to be effectively or systematically controlled. As a result, the transport phase is turning into the weakest and least visible link in the food safety chain, with delivery boxes and conditions often escaping the attention of the relevant authorities.
Growing concern
The concern is not theoretical. The Health Services of the Ministry of Health, in a letter to OEB and KEVE, are sounding the alarm over hygiene conditions during the transport of food by drivers of motorcycles, mopeds and even cars working with online platforms.
They note that in recent months there has been a significant increase in complaints from consumers. Most relate to the condition of delivery boxes, including reports of “very dirty boxes with accumulated food residues,” damaged containers that are punctured or do not close properly, and equipment that is worn and poorly maintained. There are also reports that drivers store personal items inside the boxes or leave their vehicles exposed during idle hours, without adequate protection from rodents and insects.
Who is responsible?
The Health Services point out that delivery drivers are not employees of the platforms but operate as self-employed partners. This, combined with the fact that many are foreign nationals without permanent residence status in Cyprus, creates legal difficulties in registering them as food business operators or employees of such businesses. As a result, monitoring becomes particularly difficult.
This is where the gap lies. The Health Services are responsible for official state inspections. They can investigate complaints, inspect premises and request corrective measures. However, they cannot be present outside every restaurant, checking every delivery box before each order reaches the customer.
For this reason, they are calling on both platforms and restaurants to play a more active role. They recommend regular inspections of delivery containers, supervision of basic personal hygiene of drivers at the point of collection, and immediate reporting of irregularities to platforms. In serious cases, businesses are advised to refuse the handover of orders and request another driver.
Similar guidance has been issued to the platforms themselves. Although they operate as intermediaries, the Health Services underline that they bear responsibility to ensure that affiliated food vendors and delivery drivers follow proper food safety procedures.
Platforms’ response
Politis contacted the two main delivery platforms, Wolt and Foody, for their official positions on inspections, complaint handling and the measures they are taking or planning to take following the intervention by the Health Services.
Wolt stated that hygiene and order safety are a priority and that it conducts scheduled inspections of delivery equipment at least every six months, as well as regular spot checks. According to the company, damaged or unsuitable equipment is replaced, while long-term partners with a high number of completed deliveries are periodically invited to its offices for replacement of delivery boxes.
The company also noted that as part of a nationwide inspection initiative at the end of 2025, delivery equipment was checked and boxes that did not meet required standards were replaced.
Regarding complaints, Wolt said that every report is examined immediately and, where issues are identified, delivery partners are required to take corrective action, including replacing equipment where necessary. In cases of repeated non-compliance, access to the platform may be deactivated.
Following the letter from the Health Services, Wolt added that it will proceed with additional communication to delivery partners and strengthen related controls.
In contrast, Foody had not responded to requests for comment by late yesterday afternoon.
