Tampered goods - Three Charged for Altering Expiry Dates on Food Products

The Public Prosecution has referred the owner of a commercial food business and two employees to criminal court after inspectors found expired goods on the premises with altered expiry dates. A hearing is set for 25 November 2025 at the Sixth Minor Criminal Court. Prosecutors said yesterday they had ordered the three to stand trial for possessing and trading expired food products after changing the dates shown on packaging to make them appear valid. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce had already shut the establishment after the inspection.

Report

The case started when the ministry filed a report saying its inspection officers seized expired items during routine visits to the shop. Checks showed the original expiry dates had been replaced with new ones indicating a longer shelf life, contrary to the true status of the goods, the prosecution said. A prosecution team moved to the site after receiving the report, carried out an inspection, and heard the statement of the ministry’s judicial officer.

Suspects

Arrest warrants were issued for the suspects, two were taken in and questioned, then held pending the inquiry. The premises and all food items inside were also seized. Specialists from the ministry were tasked with taking stock of the goods and testing them to identify expired items, as well as tracking any expired products being sold in the wider market. The inventory recorded over 600 expired food products.

Forgery expert

The prosecution appointed a forgery expert from the Directorate of Material Evidence to examine samples. The expert’s report found that expiry dates on the tested products had been changed by substituting new dates for the originals. The Attorney General said the Public Prosecution would enforce the law firmly against anyone who tampers with goods, especially foodstuffs, to protect public health and the safety of citizens and residents.