Expired food, zaatar allegedly mixed with sawdust: New seizure in Bekaa

Chtoura customs officials announced Tuesday the seizure of quantities of expired or smuggled food during several raids carried out in localities in the Zahle district of the Bekaa, according to a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Large quantities of expired spices and zaatar stored in violation of health regulations were seized during a raid on a mill in the Bar Elias area, in the presence of a representative from the Health Ministry, the statement said.

Also in Bar Elias, Chtoura customs officers seized large quantities of expired food products, notably seeds and nuts, as well as equipment used to falsify expiration dates during an operation conducted in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Service.

A raid on a warehouse in the Taanayel area enabled customs officials to seize around a thousand bags of zaatar, suspected of being mixed with sawdust and carrying counterfeit labels.

The seized merchandise was confiscated, and those involved were taken to the customs office to be handed over to the judiciary, in coordination with the ministries of Health and Economy, and under the supervision of the Bekaa Appeals Court prosecutor.