Famous restaurants and dessert chains shut down across Egypt in food safety crackdown
In Gharbia Governorate, five branches of the 'Balaben' chain in Tanta city were closed after failing to complete the necessary legal papers and documents for operation. It was also found that these branches did not comply with the required health standards.
In Giza Governorate, the campaign included the closure of 12 branches belonging to the 'Balaben,' 'Karm El Sham,' and 'Konafa w Basbousa' chains, which are widespread throughout the governorate. These branches were found to be operating without proper licenses.
The campaign also extended to Port Said Governorate, where authorities closed the 'Balaben' branch located in the eastern district of Port Said due to its failure to meet official requirements. Cairo Governorate also closed two branches each of 'Balaben,' 'Wahmy Burger,' 'Konafa w Basbousa,' and 'Karm El Sham' on Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street in the downtown area.
Officials from the Food Safety Authority affirmed that these measures come within the framework of ongoing monitoring plans to ensure food establishments comply with regulations and laws.
They emphasized the importance of these campaigns in maintaining citizens' health and food safety.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Sisi accuses Israel of ‘systematic genocide' in Gaza as blockade tightens, global pressure mounts
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has accused Israel of committing a 'systematic genocide' against Palestinians in Gaza, asserting that the war has shifted from political objectives or hostage negotiations to a deliberate campaign of 'starvation and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.' Speaking at a press conference, Al-Sisi said more than 5,000 aid trucks are stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, unable to enter due to Israel's control over the Palestinian side. Amid worsening humanitarian conditions, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported Tuesday that 87 Palestinians were killed and 644 injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll since 7 October 2023, to 61,020, with 150,671 wounded. Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz stated that the Israeli army would 'professionally implement its policies' toward Gaza pending a cabinet decision. Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is increasingly inclined toward a full-scale offensive to seize the entire Gaza Strip. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that 'increased use of force is now on the table' following the collapse of indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said Israel permits only about 40 aid trucks into Gaza each day, far below the 600 trucks required to meet basic humanitarian needs—deepening the risk of famine and disease outbreaks. Gaza's Health Ministry also reported 95 cases of the rare neurological disorder Guillain-Barré Syndrome, including 45 children. It warned of a 'rapid and alarming spread' linked to water contamination and malnutrition caused by the blockade, noting three recent deaths, among them two children. On the ground, Al-Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades claimed attacks on Israeli military targets in the Morag axis between Rafah and Khan Younis, as well as in Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighbourhood. Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet approved a new mechanism for the limited entry of goods into Gaza via vetted local traders under strict security protocols. Permitted goods will include basic foodstuffs, baby formula, fresh produce, and hygiene products, with payments processed exclusively via wire transfer and all shipments subject to comprehensive inspection. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone calls with his British and French counterparts to discuss the deepening crisis. In an official statement, Rubio expressed 'deep concern' over the escalation and reaffirmed US efforts to push for a ceasefire. Belgium's Foreign Minister voiced support for the European Commission's proposal to suspend Israel's participation in EU research programmes. If Denmark secures a majority, this could mark the EU's first tangible sanctions against Israel. The minister also criticised aid airdrops as 'inadequate' and called for unimpeded ground access for relief deliveries. Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Al Jazeera that Israel is 'violating international law daily' in Gaza and the West Bank. He urged an immediate ceasefire and the full reopening of border crossings to prevent famine, warning that Israel's far-right government includes figures linked to extremist settler groups seeking to seize Palestinian land. Norway's Finance Minister announced that the country's sovereign wealth fund will review its investments in Israeli companies involved in the war and West Bank occupation, stating: 'We aim to avoid investing in companies complicit in the war in Gaza or the illegal occupation.' Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also condemned any 'illegal annexation' of Gaza or the West Bank, calling it a violation of international law that undermines the two-state solution. In Egypt, authorities rejected a request by opposition parties to stage a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in Cairo on August 8. Madhet El-Zahad, head of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, said the demonstration was intended as a peaceful show of solidarity with Gaza and did not address internal Egyptian issues. The request was denied by Cairo's Emergency Affairs Court. In Algeria, the Interior Ministry refused permission for 12 political parties to hold a nationwide march in support of Gaza, suggesting instead that events be held in enclosed venues. Citing a 1989 public assembly law, the ministry's stance drew criticism from those who argue it contradicts Article 52 of the 2020 constitution, which explicitly guarantees the right to peaceful protest without prior authorisation. The banned parties include the Movement of Society for Peace, the Workers' Party, El Fajr El Jadid, Voice of the People, El Nahda Movement, Justice and Development Front, El Karama Party, Freedom and Justice Party, Good Governance Front, Union of Democratic and Social Forces, New Algeria Front, and the Hope for Algeria Party. Meanwhile, Derya Türk-Nachbaur, a senior member of Germany's Social Democratic Party, urged Berlin to join a European initiative led by Italy and Norway to evacuate and medically treat injured children from Gaza. She noted that Germany had already received Ukrainian children and could extend the same assistance to those suffering in Gaza.
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Philippines explore deeper pharmaceutical cooperation
The Chairperson of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Ali Ghamrawy, met on Tuesday with Ambassador Ezzedin Tago of the Republic of the Philippines to discuss expanding cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and regulating the circulation of medical products between the two countries. Talks centred on facilitating the registration of Egyptian pharmaceutical and medical products in the Philippines, alongside exploring mutual recognition of registration files—a step that could accelerate the availability of safe, effective medicines to citizens in both nations. Ghamrawy stressed that expanding international partnerships is vital to supporting Egypt's pharmaceutical industry and opening new export markets, in line with the EDA's commitment to aligning its regulatory framework with the highest global standards. He noted that building strategic ties with countries such as the Philippines fosters the exchange of technical expertise, strengthens regulatory capacities, and advances sustainable development goals in the sector. Ambassador Tago commended the EDA's role in developing the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting its achievement of Maturity Level 3 under the World Health Organization's global benchmarking tool—a recognition of its adherence to quality standards. He reaffirmed the Philippines' interest in strengthening institutional cooperation and sharing expertise with Egypt to boost joint exports and market access. The meeting underscored the EDA's drive to forge international partnerships that enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian pharmaceutical products, expand their presence in global markets, and reinforce Egypt's position as a regional leader in the industry—supporting both economic growth and public health.
Daily News Egypt
3 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's PM reviews efforts to support local pharmaceutical industry
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Sunday chaired a meeting to review efforts to support and develop the country's pharmaceutical industry, with the aim of boosting local manufacturing and attracting more foreign investment. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, and the heads of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement (UPA). Madbouly affirmed the government's interest in providing all necessary support for the growth and localisation of this vital industry. He noted that Egypt has a long history in pharmaceuticals, with large industrial facilities, and possesses promising advantages for further progress, including a large domestic market and access to nearby regional markets. During the meeting, EDA Chairman Ali El-Ghamrawy presented a report on the state of the industry. He stated that the sector is nationally stable and has achieved significant jumps in local market sales in 2024 compared to 2023, with positive expectations for continued growth in 2025. El-Ghamrawy confirmed that there is a secure level of coverage for various therapeutic groups, including hormones, cardiovascular drugs, oncology products, and corticosteroids. He also assured that there is a safe strategic stock of pharmaceutical raw materials, sufficient for three to six months. The EDA chairman highlighted the growth of foreign companies in the Egyptian market, noting that their sales in 2024 saw a 43% increase compared to 2023. He attributed this progress to several measures taken by the EDA to attract international firms, including monitoring modern and innovative products, a reference-based registration process that reduces approval times from two years to as little as two months, a unified electronic registration system, and support for localisation projects. El-Ghamrawy also noted that the EDA provides about 979 essential regulatory services to support the pharmaceutical industry and has not increased the fees for these services in the past two years.
