BEIRUT: Grocery stores across the country confiscated various chicken products Wednesday, after Lebanons Customs Department and Health Ministry found 40 tons of expired chicken in warehouses in the North Metn town of Zikrit.

It was found that the warehouses had been supplying large quantities of expired chicken to supermarkets and grocery stores, local media reported. The 40 tons of expired chicken, seized Tuesday night, dated back to 2016 and 2017.

The chicken was being sold mainly in the form of products including nuggets, escalope, and burgers said Director-General of the Economy Ministry Mohammad Abu Haidar, in a televised interview.

We have communicated with all supermarkets and minimarts to remove the chicken brands immediately, Haidar said.

Sources told local media that the warehouses belonged to three main institutions: Freiha Food Company, Shuman Farms and Lipoul. These supply the market with a large amount chicken that is currently in high demand due the exorbitant prices of red meat.

Investigations are underway to determine the source of the chicken and the locations it may have been distributed to.

President Michel Aoun said that he was following up on the investigations of the chicken, the state-run National News Agency reported. Aoun said that he was adamant on following up on investigation and will always ensure the food security and safety of citizen.

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