Four individuals convicted of possessing, storing and selling expired food products through fraud and deception have been sentenced to prison and fined, the Public Prosecution said yesterday.
Authorities stated that the defendants tampered with expiry dates and reintroduced the products into the market.
The company’s manager was sentenced to three years in prison and fined BD10,000, while three expatriate workers received one-year jail terms and will be deported after completing their sentences.
The court also ordered the confiscation and destruction of the tampered goods, along with the tools used in the offence, and mandated the closure of the company for six months.
A summary of the verdict, along with supporting evidence, will be published at the expense of the convicted individuals once the ruling becomes final.
The case came to light after the Public Prosecution received a report from the Industry and Commerce Ministry. An inspector reported receiving information indicating that a group of workers at a food retail company manipulated and altered expiry dates of certain food products.
They allegedly did so with the intention of reintroducing the products for sale in the market.
Following the report, the Public Prosecution launched an investigation, questioning the defendants and reviewing technical findings. Inspections led to the seizure of spoiled goods, and authorities determined that sufficient evidence existed to support the charges.
The defendants were subsequently referred in custody to the Lower Criminal Court, which issued the verdict.
The Public Prosecution reaffirmed its commitment to combating fraud, deception and manipulation in the marketplace, stressing that strict legal action would continue against any practices that endanger consumer safety.
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