CHECKS ON FOOD DISTRIBUTION BAGS REVEALED PATHOGENS - ''UNSUITABLE FROM A HYGIENIC POINT OF VIEW'' SAYS THE CONSUMERS' ASSOCIATION - HOW WOLT AND FOODY RESPOND - Filenews 12/6
The Cyprus Consumers' Association carried out a laboratory test on food carrier bags, which showed the presence of pathogenic organisms, which can cause food poisoning, said the President of the Association, Marios Drousiotis, noting that food distribution companies can oblige distributors to comply with hygiene rules.
Asked about hygiene, Mr. Drousiotis said that the Cyprus Consumers Association received complaints about hygiene in the food transport boxes in the vehicles of food distributors with reports that they were not clean. "You see this thing from the outside, but you don't know what is happening internally. It is reasonable to assume that the situation will be similar from the inside," he pointed out.
Mr. Drousiotis stated that, following the complaints received by the Association, he contacted the Health Services, which is the competent authority for ensuring public health and for the control of food transport boxes. The head of the Health Services told him, he said, that he is aware of the issue and that he will launch it so that the required checks can be carried out.
The President of the Cyprus Consumers Association clarified that his communication with the head of the Health Services took place before the incident with the food poisoning at a wedding reception in Limassol. After the incident, "things have been pressured in this area as well now," he added.
"As an Association, in addition to the complaints, we also proceeded with a laboratory test on two food transport bags," he said. The test was carried out in an accredited laboratory and showed the presence of three different pathogenic organisms, which can cause food poisoning, he noted. "The conclusions of the laboratory test are that the food is hygienically unsuitable for transportation," he added.
"We, as an Association, do not have the authority to stop a food distributor and carry out inspections, because we are a voluntary organization. We did this check to confirm what we heard and saw," said Marios Drousiotis. After that, he continued, the Health Services sent a letter to OEB, whose members are the food distribution companies. In their letter, the Health Services recommended to companies what they should do to comply with hygiene rules, he noted.
The issue remained so far, but 3 different factors are involved in this chain, pointed out the President of the Cyprus Consumers' Association. These factors are the business that manufactures the food, the distribution company and the distributor himself, he added.
Mr. Drousiotis explained that the distributors do not work on the distribution platform indicated on the packaging of the food, but the distribution platforms buy services from these people. He noted that the primary responsibility lies with the distribution platforms, secondarily the distributors and finally the company that prepares food and distributes it through the platform.
"Wide publicity was given and maybe something will happen. From the laboratory test (we did) we saw that the condition of the 2 boxes we checked is unacceptable. It is a serious issue," he stressed.
"There have been some who have claimed that the food is packaged and does not come into direct contact with the environment inside the box. The fact that food is packaged does not eliminate the risk of food poisoning, it just reduces it," said Marios Drousiotis, underlining that distributors must regularly wash and disinfect food transport boxes.
"The transport company contracts with these people, but it doesn't pay the required attention, mainly because they are foreigners. So, if transport companies comply, they can force distributors to follow hygiene rules," he concluded.
Wolt: We carry out sample checks on a regular basis
In the meantime, in response to a question on the matter, the Wolt distribution platform stated that it carries out scheduled checks on the equipment of the cooperating distributors at least every six months, while at the same time it conducts sample checks on a regular basis.
"Order hygiene and safety is a non-negotiable priority for our platform. Any relevant report or finding is immediately reviewed, and when issues related to compliance with basic hygiene rules are identified, we ask the partner distributor to immediately take the necessary actions, including replacing the equipment where required," Wolt said, adding that "in cases of repeated non-compliance with the relevant requirements, access to the platform may be disabled."
"In addition to the corrective actions implemented on a case-by-case basis, we carry out scheduled checks on the equipment of our partner distributors at least every six months to ensure that the distribution boxes are clean and suitable for transporting orders," the platform noted.
"At the same time, we carry out sample checks on a regular basis and where wear or unsuitability is detected, we immediately proceed with the replacement of the equipment. In addition, partner distributors with long-term activity on the platform and a significant number of completed orders are invited to replace their distribution boxes," he pointed out.
"Following the relevant letter from the Health Services, we immediately informed the cooperating distributors, reminding them of their obligations and best practices for the cleaning and maintenance of distribution boxes. At the same time, we have increased regular inspections, with the aim of ensuring compliance with all requirements related to the hygiene and safety of orders," he concluded.
They have procedures and control mechanisms in place for distributors, says Foody
They are implementing procedures and control mechanisms for their partner distributors, with the aim of ensuring high standards of hygiene and safety, the food distribution platform Foody said on Friday, in response to a question from KYPE on the issue of the safety of food delivered to the home through distribution platforms.
The platform clarifies that no incidents have been systematically recorded or confirmed that indicate the existence of a widespread or systemic problem in relation to the cleanliness or hygiene of the distribution boxes.
Furthermore, it states that "the documentation of a direct link between food spoilage and the cleanliness or hygiene of the distribution equipment is de facto particularly difficult, as the food does not come into direct contact with the distribution box". He also notes that orders are prepared by the restaurant in its own packaging, placed in a restaurant bag (which is often sealed by the restaurant itself) and then transported inside the distribution box. "This multi-layered packaging and transport process is designed to ensure compliance with hygiene rules and the protection of food quality throughout distribution," he points out.
"However, any comment or complaint we receive, regardless of its nature, is treated with due seriousness and is considered in the context of our established quality assurance procedures," says Foody. "Where concerns are raised, they are assessed in cooperation with the parties involved, with a view to identifying the underlying cause and taking any necessary corrective actions," it notes.
"We remain fully committed to maintaining high standards of hygiene and food safety, as well as continuously strengthening our processes throughout the distribution chain," he emphasizes and adds that this is a top priority.
As a company, it implements control procedures and mechanisms for its distribution partners with the aim of ensuring high standards of hygiene and safety at every stage of the delivery process, including scheduled and unannounced checks on distribution bags and transport boxes, replacing transport boxes on a regular basis every six months and providing mandatory training on hygiene requirements and good food handling practices, he says.
At the same time, the platform notes that it has developed and operates the "Rider Academy" application, through which delivery partners receive continuous guidance on the proper management of orders, as well as on maintaining the high standards of hygiene and safety required during the execution of deliveries.
"Additionally, we maintain close communication with our partner stores and encourage them to promptly report any observations or concerns upon receipt of an order so that any issues identified can be addressed promptly and efficiently," he adds.
Finally, it welcomes the actions of the Health Services and supports, as they say, any initiative that contributes to the upgrading of quality and safety standards in the field of food distribution.
