In a report, the committee clarified that it was tasked to inspect and re-evaluate the B.Laban branches to confirm compliance with food safety regulations and health standards to safeguard the public health.
It explained that food safety requires that food handlers possess valid health certificates proving they are free from infectious diseases, as per Law No. 1 of 2017 and Law No. 10 of 1966.
Furthermore, the report indicated that the production facilities of B.Laban, Karam El-Sham, and other brands were assessed to verify that the required health standards were in place and to address any previously identified violations.
Inspections were carried out using standardised checklists, documenting any observations, and producing a joint report supported by photographs highlighting key findings and corrective measures needed.
The findings were shared with facility owners or their representatives to rectify any issues before requesting another inspection.
Re-inspections are conducted the day after a new request is submitted, the committee noted.
On Sunday, 27 April, the NFSA held a meeting with representatives of B.Laban food chains and other food chains under its umbrella to discuss the necessary steps for resuming operations.
During the meeting, the representatives confirmed that all violations had been addressed and that corrective actions had been fully implemented across all branches and factories.
The authority officials stressed the importance of labelling all products with the factory name, address, and telephone number.
They said inspections would be conducted at B.Laban factories in Kafr El-Dawar and Abis, as well as the Karam El-Sham factory in Borg El-Arab, on 28 April, coinciding with the resumption of trial production after a halt, to ensure full compliance with corrective measures.
Additionally, product sales and distribution will resume only at branches that have completed all required corrective and preventive actions.
This includes 15 B.Lalban branches in Cairo: Tajamu' - Watania Gas Station, South Academy, Abbas El-Akkad, Sheikh Zayed, Talaat Harb, Abdel Khalek Tharwat, Makram Ebeid, Al-Ahram Street in Heliopolis, Sheraton, Hadayek El-Ahram, El-Matbaa in Faisal, Salam City, Almaza, Arab League Street, and El-Eshreen Street in Faisal and five branches in Alexandria: Raml Station, Mandara - Asafra 2, Nabi Daniel, Smouha, and Iqbal.
Regarding other brands, operations were agreed to resume at three branches of Bahij (Sheraton, Raml Station, and Abdel Khalek Tharwat), four branches of Wahmi (Sheraton, Nabi Daniel, Abdel Khalek Tharwat, and Sheikh Zayed), two branches of Amm Sheltet (Nabi Daniel and Sheraton), two branches of Konafa w Basbousa (Abbas El-Akkad and Smouha), and six branches of Karam El-Sham (Alf Maskan, Talaat Harb, Arab League Street, El-Hosary, Montazah, and Azarita).
The resumed branches of Bahij, Wahmi, Amm Sheltet, and Konafa w Basbousa will produce and sell their goods only within their premises and maintain separate lists of approved suppliers for raw materials and packaging.
They also agreed that these brands would carry out preventive measures to avoid incidental microbial contamination.
These measures include training employees on hygiene practices, cleaning and sanitizing factories, and conducting swab tests on equipment, work surfaces, and personnel to ensure the absence of harmful microbes.
Meanwhile, the chain representatives affirmed that the phased resumption of operations would proceed based on branch readiness, with notifications to be provided accordingly.
In addition, the joint committee inspections and monitoring will continue at all sales outlets and production facilities.
Last week, the NFSA temporarily shut down 100 branches of B.Laban and other related fast-food chains across Egypt after lab tests, prompted in part by consumer complaints of food poisoning, found pathogenic bacteria in products intended for market circulation.
The founder of B.Laban, Momen Adel, issued a plea on the same day on behalf of his employees to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to intervene.
The next day, an official statement issued by the company expressed gratitude to the president for his swift response, direct intervention, and ordering an urgent meeting between the company and relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with safety standards and operational regulations in the Egyptian market.
On Friday, the well-known chain announced the resumption of operations in its branches nationwide.
B.Laban, established in 2021 in Alexandria, is one of Egypt's fastest-growing food chains.
According to its founder, the company currently operates 110 branches nationwide, and its factories and facilities employ 25,000 Egyptians.
Adel also emphasized 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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