The Misdemeanor Court of Bandar Mallawi in Minya Governorate sentenced the owner of a restaurant to 9 years and 6 months in prison, fined him EGP 70,000, and ordered him to pay a temporary civil compensation of EGP 10,000 after he was convicted of serving spoiled meals that resulted in dozens of citizens suffering from severe food poisoning. The ruling serves as a strong message about the importance of adhering to health laws and hygiene standards in food establishments.

The detailed ruling included multiple penalties for the various charges against the defendant. The court sentenced him to 5 years in prison and a fine of EGP 20,000 for selling spoiled food harmful to human health while being aware of its danger, and 3 years in prison for gross negligence in performing his duties that resulted in harm to the victims by serving expired food to more than three people. The court also imposed 6 months in prison for offering goods of unknown origin without providing documents proving their legality, in addition to a fine of EGP 50,000 and the permanent closure of the restaurant for operating a food establishment without the necessary official licenses.

Additionally, the court sentenced him to another 6 months in prison for handling food in places that did not meet public health and hygiene standards, and fined him an additional EGP 20,000 for failing to provide the health certificates of restaurant employees upon request by the relevant health authorities.

The case dates back to a report received by Minya security authorities from the emergency operations room indicating that dozens of citizens had arrived at Mallawi Specialized Hospital suffering from acute food poisoning symptoms, including severe vomiting, diarrhea, and intense stomach pain. The total number of victims reached 42 citizens, all of whom confirmed during questioning that they had eaten meals consisting of "rice and chicken" from the accused’s restaurant just hours before their symptoms appeared.

Security forces immediately moved to the restaurant in question, seized quantities of suspected spoiled food, and sent them for laboratory testing. Preliminary investigations revealed that the restaurant was operating in unsanitary conditions that lacked basic hygiene standards, was serving expired food unfit for human consumption, and did not hold the required licenses to operate.

Medical teams at the hospital provided the necessary care to all the victims until their conditions stabilized, after which they were discharged. The Public Prosecution ordered a wide-scale investigation into the incident, listened to the statements of the victims and eyewitnesses, and ordered the arrest of the restaurant owner and the seizure of his equipment before referring him to the misdemeanor court, which handed down the strict sentence.

Judicial authorities affirmed that this ruling reflects the state’s keenness to protect citizens' health and prevent any violations that may put their lives at risk. They also emphasized that regulatory bodies will intensify their inspection campaigns on food establishments to ensure compliance with laws and health regulations.

Residents in Minya Governorate called for harsher penalties against anyone proven to endanger citizens' lives by serving spoiled food or operating without the necessary licenses, stressing that such crimes threaten public health and require firm legal measures.

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