An audit by the Audit Office of Cyprus has revealed serious problems with catering in the National Guard.

Despite spending €9.5 million a year, many soldiers remain dissatisfied with the quality of the food and prefer to buy products at the ΚΨΜ (canteen) or eat outside the unit.

📌 What the audit found: — 69% of soldiers admitted that they regularly or occasionally buy food at the canteen; — 41% additionally eat outside the camp; — 74% prefer not to eat at the unit before going on leave; — only 8% believe their nutritional needs are met to a large extent; — 67% rate the food as average or unsatisfactory.

The audit also found overspending and waste. In some cases, food was ordered up to 42% more than was actually needed. Some products and ready-made portions are systematically thrown away, and dropping certain unused canned goods and related items could save about €10,000 a week, or €520,000 a year.

⚠️ It was also established that hot food was in a number of cases delivered at a temperature 15–25 degrees below the permitted standard, and some of the equipment for checking product quality and weight either did not meet requirements or had long gone without inspection.

According to the report, food prepared in the kitchens of the military units themselves is rated slightly better than the rest. Overall, however, the audit showed that with multimillion-euro spending, the soldiers’ catering system needs a serious overhaul.

@cyprus_kipr