Latest news with #NationalFoodSafetyAuthority
CairoScene
29-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
B Laban Factories Undergo Full Inspection Following Reopenings
Following the reopening of branches, Egyptian authorities launch full factory inspections to enforce food safety standards. Apr 29, 2025 Authorities across Cairo, Alexandria, and Beheira have launched full inspections of B Laban's dairy factories following the company's announcement of branch reopenings. A consolidated committee, led by the General Authority for Industrial Development and including representatives from health, environmental, and food safety agencies, has been deployed to ensure compliance with all industrial and health regulations. The inspections will evaluate the company's adherence to licensing requirements, environmental regulations, and food safety standards. Factories have been given a one-month deadline to fully align with regulatory measures and secure the necessary approvals. The move follows directives from Egypt's presidency and comes amid heightened public scrutiny, after B Laban reportedly settled over EGP 140 million in outstanding tax obligations. The company's case has remained in the spotlight throughout 2024, with the National Food Safety Authority also monitoring developments closely.
Gulf News
19-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Egypt shuts down over 100 B.Laban branches
Dubai: Egypt's National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has ordered the temporary closure of several high-profile food chains, including the most popular dessert franchise after inspections uncovered serious health violations and the presence of pathogenic bacteria in a variety of food products. In a statement released Friday, the NFSA said that food samples collected from more than 47 outlets across the country tested positive for bacteria commonly linked to food poisoning. The authority also reported the use of banned food coloring agents, spoiled or mishandled ingredients, and widespread non-compliance with food safety regulations. 'These bacteria primarily affect the digestive system and are considered a major cause of foodborne illness,' the statement read. Some samples also showed signs of spoilage due to improper storage, prompting the confiscation of unsafe products and immediate suspension of operations at affected locations. Among the most prominent closures was a dessert chain with over 100 branches across Egypt and operations in several Arab countries. The company announced the suspension of all its outlets nationwide, citing what it called an 'unprecedented crisis' that has brought its operations to a standstill and impacted more than 25,000 employees. While did not directly reference the NFSA's findings, it acknowledged in a statement that 'any entity operating at this scale may make mistakes,' and expressed a willingness to 'review, correct, and develop' its practices. The company positioned its closure as a blow to national entrepreneurship, stating, 'We are a model that proves Egypt is capable of exporting successful investment brands.' The closures follow a similar incident in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, where authorities temporarily shut down several branches following consumer complaints of food poisoning. Other establishments now under investigation include Karam El Sham, a popular Syrian food chain, as well as dessert shops Kunafa and Basbousa, burger joint Wahmi, and the traditional feteer restaurant Am Shaltet. These outlets have also been temporarily closed pending further review. The NFSA said inspections will continue 'without leniency,' and encouraged consumers to report concerns through the Consumer Protection Hotline or the official government portal. The authority emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health and holding violators accountable.
Egypt Today
19-03-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egyptian food exports increased $10Bn in 2024: Chamber of Food Industries
Cairo – March 19, 2025: The Chamber of Food Industries has reported that Egypt's food sector exports surpassed $10 billion in 2024, marking a 21 percent year-over-year increase, according to Chairperson Ashraf El Gazayerli at the Chamber's 2024 General Assembly meeting, where he discussed the sector's international market performance. Executive Director Maysa Hamza provided an overview of the Chamber's recent activities, focusing on institutional development efforts such as improving governance, advancing digital transformation, and automating processes. These initiatives aim to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the sector. The Chamber's objectives for 2024 included addressing challenges faced by food manufacturers, representing their interests to relevant stakeholders, and providing industry data to support decision-making. Additionally, efforts continue to strengthen sector competitiveness through consulting services, training programs, and compliance support. The Chamber continues to prioritize food safety. In 2024, it facilitated 46 training programs, conducted 85 factory visits, and organized multiple seminars in collaboration with the National Food Safety Authority. These efforts provided training for nearly 3,800 industry professionals across various regions, with support from eight donor-funded projects. On regulatory matters, the Chamber has contributed to approving 44 new industry standards in cooperation with the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality. It is also involved in updating regulations, including amendments to the National Food Safety Authority's decree No. 4 of 2020, aligning it with international food safety guidelines. The Chamber has been active in international engagements, taking part in eight missions in 2024, including conferences, research forums, and trade exhibitions in Malaysia, Russia, France, the UAE, Oman, India, and Germany. These activities are part of efforts to support industry players in accessing new markets and staying informed about global trends.
CairoScene
19-03-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Egyptian Food Exports Reach 220,000 Tons in One Week
Saudi Arabia ranked as the top importer of Egyptian food products. Mar 19, 2025 The National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has reported that Egyptian food exports totalled 220,000 tons across 4,950 shipments between March 8th and the 14th. These shipments came from 1,500 Egyptian food companies and included 585 different products, ranging from vegetables and fruits to flour and nutritional goods. Among the top exported items, potatoes led the list with 45,000 tons, followed by frozen mixed vegetables (10,000 tons) and beans (7,000 tons). In total, vegetable exports accounted for 82,000 tons, covering 67 different products. In the fruit category, citrus fruits dominated at 60,000 tons, followed by strawberries (13,000 tons) and mixed fruits (2,000 tons), bringing total fruit exports to 75,000 tons across 33 different items. Saudi Arabia emerged as the largest importer of Egyptian food products, followed by Lebanon, Russia and the Netherlands. In total, 180 countries imported Egyptian food products during the week.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Food sector exports in Egypt surpass $10bn in 2024, achieving record growth
Egypt- At the 2024 General Assembly meeting of the Chamber of Food Industries, Chairperson Ashraf El Gazayerli announced that the food sector achieved a remarkable 21% increase in exports last year, surpassing $10bn. This milestone marks an unprecedented achievement for the sector, underlining its growing influence in the global market. Maysa Hamza, Executive Director of the Chamber, also highlighted the organization's major accomplishments for the year. She emphasized the Chamber's commitment to institutional growth, which includes refining and updating its strategy, embracing digital transformation, and automating processes to improve governance. The Chamber's strategic objectives for 2024 include addressing challenges faced by factories, effectively voicing their concerns to local and international stakeholders, and providing valuable sector and market data to support its members. Additionally, the Chamber is focused on enhancing the competitiveness of the food sector and bolstering companies' capabilities through a range of technical and consulting services. Hamza also reiterated the Chamber's ongoing efforts to assist companies in complying with food safety standards. In 2024, the Chamber delivered 46 training programs, conducted 85 factory visits, and organized numerous seminars and workshops in collaboration with the National Food Safety Authority. These initiatives have supported the training of 3,799 individuals across various governorates, thanks to the backing of eight donor-funded projects. The Chamber's work in standardization is equally significant, having approved 44 new standards through the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, and actively participated in updating industry standards. Furthermore, the Chamber is contributing to the revision of the National Food Safety Authority's decree No. 4 of 2020 on food additives to align it with the latest Codex Alimentarius guidelines and European Union regulations. On the global front, the Chamber represented Egypt's food sector in eight international missions, attending scientific conferences, research forums, specialized training programs, and international exhibitions. These missions took place in countries such as Malaysia, Russia, France, the UAE, Oman, India, and Germany, highlighting Egypt's growing presence in the global food industry.
