A commercial establishment and its warehouse have been shut down for storing, processing and distributing expired goods following a recent inspection by the Industry and Commerce Ministry.
Inspectors identified the business and its associated warehouse in Muharraq during routine visits by the ministry’s inspection directorate.
Frozen chicken which expired in January
The business was found to be storing, processing and preserving meat without the required licences.
Officials also discovered spoiled and expired goods on the premises, which the business was allegedly distributing.
“Authorities took immediate action to administratively close both the establishment and warehouse,” the ministry said in a statement.
A video released alongside the announcement showed expired corn starch, meat and frozen goods, some bearing expiry dates from 2024 and 2025.
The video also showed a poorly maintained facility with unhygienic meat processing equipment.
The violators have been referred to the Public Prosecution, the ministry added.
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Earlier this year, the GDN reported on another case involving adulterated food products. The Second Lower Criminal Court fined a company owner BD103,000 and sentenced four Asian employees to prison terms ranging from six months to one year, followed by deportation, for trading in expired food products.
The case stemmed from a report received by the Public Prosecution from Hamad Town Police Station following a tip-off that expired food products were allegedly being repackaged inside a company warehouse.
The seized expired products
Authorities also identified another warehouse being used to store food, as well as for unlicensed carpentry and vehicle repair activities. The Industry and Commerce Ministry conducts regular field and electronic inspections across commercial markets, retail shops, warehouses and industrial areas in all four governorates to protect consumer rights, ensure price stability, and enforce compliance with commercial and consumer protection laws.
Some items had expiry dates from 2024
Another commercial establishment was closed down by the ministry in July after inspectors uncovered multiple violations, including the sale of expired products, price manipulation and breaches of consumer protection regulations.
According to statistics provided by the ministry, inspectors conducted as many as 3,191 visits covering various sectors and markets across the kingdom.
Poorly maintained facility
The GDN previously reported that from March 1 to July 31, a total of 2,156 inspections were held at food stores, 234 at bakeries, 98 at central markets, and 703 at other commercial establishments.
Inspectors found 178 violations, including 176 relating to prices, and the remaining two involving commercial fraud.
Unclean equipment
Officials took legal action against 31 violators, including the issuing of 21 final warnings and ordering eight administrative closures.
Two establishments were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action.
Officials urged all commercial establishments to follow legal requirements around food safety and noted that illegal practices will not be tolerated.
Consumers have also been urged to report violations by emailing inspection@moic.gov.bh, through the national Tawasul suggestions and complaints system, or via WhatsApp on 17111225.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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