Lebanese restaurant shut down for duping customers

Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has announced the administrative closure of a popular Lebanese restaurant for two weeks over the sale of Samman fish labelled as Hamour. 

Inspectors from the ministry fined the restaurant and shut down Wafi Gourmet in line with Article 7 of Law No 8 of 2008.

Gulf Times reports that the inspection was part of the MEC’s efforts to monitor commercial activities and crack down on consumer right violations, price manipulation, counterfeiting and sale of substandard goods, the ministry said in a statement.

The law stipulates that suppliers should mention, on product labels, a clear description of different goods and their ingredients and not post any misleading or false statements.

The restaurant was directed to publish the decision on its administrative closure on the ministry’s website and two newspapers at its own expense in line with Article 3 of Law No 8 on consumer protection.

Doha News reports that Wafi Gourmet was not immediately available for comment, and has not yet posted any updates about the closure on its Facebook page.

The MEC has stressed that it is determined to protect consumer rights, noting that it will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law.

The ministry will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities for appropriate action in order to protect the rights of consumers.

The MEC has urged all consumers to report violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department and send complaints and suggestions through the hotline (16001), e-mail ([email protected]), Twitter (MEC_QATAR), Instagram (MEC_QATAR) and its applications available on iPhone and Android devices (MEC_QATAR).