The Industry and Commerce Ministry, in co-ordination with the Interior Ministry and other authorities, has destroyed more than 14,000 spoiled and expired food products, some over three years past their expiry date, and ordered six-month closure of the companies involved.
The action followed court rulings that also imposed heavy fines, prison sentences, and permanent deportation for foreign offenders, in a bid to protect public health and combat commercial fraud.
The large-scale destruction operation, carried out at the Askar Landfill for Waste Management, spanned a week and involved 21 truckloads of frozen meat and poultry, nuts, sweets, and other items. All goods, along with tools used in the expiry-date falsification process, were confiscated and destroyed.
The Ministry said in a statement that the measure forms part of its enforcement of judicial rulings, aimed at safeguarding consumers, ensuring market safety, and curbing fraudulent practices.
Earlier, the Ministry’s Inspection Directorate, in co-operation with the Health Ministry, launched a nationwide inspection campaign targeting food storage facilities used by commercial establishments and restaurants.
Inspectors verified licensing, compliance with storage standards, and food safety requirements, while also conducting awareness sessions on health and regulatory obligations.
On July 22, the Sixth Minor Criminal Court convicted owners of two companies. The first owner received a three-year prison sentence and a BD 100,000 fine, while the second was fined BD 101,000.
A company official was sentenced to three years in prison, and 19 employees received two-year prison terms. All foreign defendants are to be deported permanently after serving their sentences. A supermarket and a food distribution company were also fined BD 10,000 each and ordered to close for six months.
The court further ruled for the destruction of all spoiled and expired goods, as well as the confiscation of the equipment used in their processing, after finding the defendants guilty of possessing, distributing, and marketing expired food products with falsified expiry dates.
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