B.laban Shuts Down All Branches in Egypt

B.laban — a locally founded Egyptian company that expanded across nine Arab countries — has announced the complete shutdown of its operations in Egypt, including 110 branches and affiliated factories. In a statement, the company made a formal appeal to the President of Egypt, the Prime Minister, and relevant state authorities, urging immediate attention to what it described as a critical situation, citing the total halt of operations and the impact on 25,000 workers.

The company explained that the shutdown has made it impossible to sustain operations or meet ongoing financial obligations. Despite repeated attempts to engage with official channels and find solutions, B.laban stated that no clear resolution has been reached, and the reasons behind the closures remain unclear, leaving both the company and its workforce in a state of paralysis.

Furthermore, B.laban expressed its full readiness to undergo any form of inspection, review, or legal accountability. The company stated it welcomes the involvement of any committee, regulatory body, or legal procedure initiated by the state. It also called for a fair opportunity and a reasonable time frame to address any issues that may be identified, in order to regain stability and resume operations.

On the other hand, the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) issued a statement explaining that recent inspection teams carried out field campaigns at factories and retail outlets selling food products from the brands (B.laban, Karam El Sham, Kunafa & Basbousa, Wahmy, and 3am Shaltat), which were linked to complaints across various governorates.

After inspecting over 47 stores and food establishments, tests revealed harmful bacteria in some products, which can cause food poisoning and affect the digestive system. Some products also contained banned dyes, while others were improperly stored. As a result, regulatory measures were taken, including the temporary closure of these brands’ operations until they address the issues, and confiscation and destruction of unfit-for-consumption products.