22 People Referred to Court Over Fake Expiry Dates on Food Items in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Public Prosecution has completed its investigation into a serious case involving expired food products being sold with fake expiry dates. Twenty-two people and two companies have been referred to court for their involvement.

The case began when a worker reported to Khamis Police Station that he was forced to change expiry dates on food items at a company’s warehouse. He said expired goods were being relabeled to appear fresh and fit for sale. The worker recorded a video of this process and filed an official complaint.

Following the report, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce shut down the company’s warehouse and shops. A team from the Public Prosecution visited the site, questioned 29 people including company owners and workers, and ordered all of them to be held during the investigation.

More than 14,000 expired food items were found in the warehouse, along with chemicals used to erase expiry dates. Some of these products had already reached supermarkets.

A forensic expert confirmed the expiry dates had been altered using new labels. Witnesses and police investigations supported the worker’s claims.

After reviewing all evidence, the prosecution decided to charge 22 people. Seven others, all of Asian nationality, were released due to lack of proof.

The court case is scheduled to begin on June 22, 2025, in the Sixth Minor Criminal Court.

The prosecution also said that any food items confirmed to be safe can still be sold, and maintenance workers are allowed to access the warehouse to keep refrigeration systems working to prevent further spoilage.