On Friday, 100 of B.Laban's branches across Egypt were shut down due to health concerns.
In an official statement issued Saturday, the company expressed gratitude to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for his swift response and direct intervention and for calling an urgent meeting between the company and relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with safety standards and operational regulations within the Egyptian market.
"This honorable decision reflects the Egyptian state's commitment—under the leadership of President El-Sisi—to striking a fair balance between upholding the law and safeguarding major national enterprises that originated in Egypt, provide jobs for its youth, and proudly represent the country's name abroad," the company stated.
Furthermore, the company affirmed its complete commitment to all directives issued by regulatory bodies and expressed readiness to address any concerns.
It pledged to operate transparently to deliver a product worthy of the Egyptian consumer and Egypt's domestic and international reputation.
The National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) ordered on Friday the temporary closure of B.Laban dessert food chain and other fast-food chains under its umbrella after lab tests, prompted, in part, by consumer complaints of food poisoning, proving pathogenic bacteria in products intended for market circulation.
The NFSA revealed that the tests also proved that several products of B.Laban and its brands Karam El-Sham, Konafa w Basbosa, Wahmy Burger, and 3am Shaltat contained internationally banned food colourings. Other products were found improperly stored, increasing the risk of spoilage and altering their properties.
The NFSA said in a statement that the bacteria found in these products, which primarily affect the digestive system, are the reason behind the cases of food poisoning.
According to the statement, the Authority inspected over 47 outlets and confiscated and destroyed unfit food products. It urged food businesses to comply with safety standards, warning that inspections would intensify, and violations would be strictly dealt with.
Following the government's decision to close about 110 branches of the food chains across the country, B.Laban called on the authorities, but first and foremost on President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, to intervene.
The Health Ministry clarifies the B.Laban controversy
The Ministry of Health issued a statement on Saturday concerning the controversy.
According to the Ministry of Health, coordinated field inspections targeted several popular dessert and dairy chains, including B.Laban, Karam El-Sham, Konafa & Basbousa, Wahmy Burger, and 3am Shaltat.
These operations, part of the Health Ministry's preventive sector and the Food Safety Authority's routine checks, noted several citizens' food poisoning complaints.
A total of 232 inspections revealed serious violations, including unlicensed facilities (122 outlets), expired products, and items of unknown origin. Authorities confiscated 437 food samples—some of which failed to meet Egyptian quality standards—and destroyed over 697 kilograms of food and 70 litres of beverages due to altered properties.
Legal action was initiated through 387 reports citing health violations, leading to temporary shutdowns until compliance is achieved.
Although a meeting was held on 6 April with one of B.Laban's owners to outline corrective steps required for their factories and retail outlets, the company had yet to implement the changes.
Following President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directives on Saturday, the Health Ministry announced that its officials have resumed discussions with the company's leadership to coordinate a path toward restarting operations, pending full regulatory compliance.
Established in 2021 in Alexandria, B.Laban is considered one of the fastest-growing food chain brands in Egypt.
B.Laban founder Momen Adel stated in recent media remarks that the company currently operates 110 branches nationwide and that its factories and affiliated facilities employ 25,000 Egyptians.
The veterinarian turned food chain entrepreneur emphasised that B.Laban is a purely Egyptian entity with branches in nine Arab countries.
B.Laban, known for its unconventional social media campaigns, has often been criticised for giving its desserts "outrageous" names and openly mocking much older dessert chains in its advertisements.
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