Cyprus: food inspections

In the Republic of Cyprus the app follows EU Regulation 852/2004, the Hygiene Regulations (Κ.Δ.Π. 320/2006) and the Public Health Services hygiene guides; the Public Health Services inspect, and there is no public rating.

Inspection body

Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health (Υγειονομικές Υπηρεσίες)

The Public Health Services (Υγειονομικές Υπηρεσίες) of the Ministry of Health inspect restaurants through five district offices. Some municipal health services may inspect in their own area under Law 54(I)/1996. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism licenses restaurants under Law 29/1985, and its officers also check cleanliness.

Inspections are risk-based. Eleven risk factors give a category from 1 to 4, and the category is the number of full inspections a year. Seasonal businesses get fewer. The inspector can give written instructions, take samples, seize food, and suspend a business for up to 4 days, renewable. Administrative fines can reach €854 a day, and a court can fine, close the premises and ban trading (Law 54(I)/1996). You can object to a suspension or seizure within 3 working days.

Hygiene rating

Cyprus has no public hygiene rating, grade or sticker, and nothing has to be displayed. The Tourism classes A, B and C describe the building and service, not hygiene.