A thorough investigation by Verity News has uncovered the shocking sale of contaminated beer by the Abi Jaoudi Supermarket, raising alarm bells about food safety standards and the unchecked operations of foreign-owned businesses in Liberia.
A concerned customer, who recently purchased an entire carte of beer under the Abi Jaoudi label, was horrified to discover visible dirt particles floating inside sealed bottles.
The customer, outraged, is demanding immediate government intervention and public accountability amid heightening health complications across Liberia.
“This is Abi Jaoudi beer. We bought a whole carte, and it has a whole lot of dirt in it. I’m trying to take this to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry so this business center can be shut down. This is not healthy for people. These are the same people producing Royal Dutch beer in the country. We have to get these beers off the market,” the customer told Verity News.
Health experts warn that consuming beverages contaminated with dirt or other foreign substances can lead to severe health consequences, including gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning, and long-term damage to the liver and kidneys. If bacteria or toxic particles are present in the beer, it could result in conditions ranging from nausea and vomiting to serious chronic illnesses.
Adding to growing concerns, the Abi Jaoudi Supermarket, like many large-scale retail and distribution businesses in Liberia, is reportedly owned and operated by foreign nationals, especially individuals of Lebanese origin, who continue to dominate critical sectors of the country’s food supply chain.
Critics argue that these operators are often left unchecked, with little to no accountability to local health standards or consumer rights.
In a related crackdown, Commerce Inspector Miantor S. Gbatu over the weekend led a surprise inspection in Ganta, Nimba County, where authorities seized large quantities of expired frozen fish from the West Africa Frozen Food Enterprise, Branch #26.
“These are the kinds of products that are making our people sick. Expired fish being sold to unsuspecting consumers, it’s unacceptable,” said Inspector Gbatu.
The inspection team faced initial resistance from the facility’s management, but eventually gained access to the cold storage unit, where they found stacks of expired products that had been hidden from the public eye.
According to Gbatu, expired fish can carry dangerous bacteria like listeria and salmonella, which can cause serious illness, particularly in children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
“My team was here last week and was told everything was okay,” Gbatu added. “But we wanted to see for ourselves. Sadly, we found that expired goods are being brought in overnight and sold to rural populations. This must stop.”
He further warned that consuming expired or contaminated food can lead to serious health complications such as foodborne illnesses, organ failure, and even death in severe cases.
The lack of proper labeling, storage and disposal of such goods highlights a broader crisis of regulatory enforcement.
These incidents have sparked fresh debate about the influence of foreign-owned enterprises in Liberia’s retail and food industries, with many Liberians calling for stricter monitoring of business practices, especially those impacting public health.
With both contaminated beer and expired fish now exposed in a matter of days, many are left questioning: How many more harmful products are currently circulating in our markets, and how long will it take for real enforcement to begin?
