Egypt shuts down unlicensed factory producing counterfeit Oreo biscuits

Egyptian authorities have shut down an unlicensed factory in the Kafr Shukr district of Qalyubia governorate for producing counterfeit Oreo-branded biscuits. The facility was producing copycat products intended to mimic the brand owned by Mondelēz International, as well as biscuits for ice cream production.

During a food-safety raid led by the Qalyubia Supply Directorate, inspectors seized approximately 1.8 tonnes of raw materials and finished products. The seizure included expired ingredients such as 100 kilograms of glucose and 30 kilograms of Royal-branded butter. Authorities also discovered ingredients of unknown origin lacking proper documentation.

Notably, inspectors found that the factory was using E153 vegetable carbon (black food coloring) to mimic the dark appearance of cocoa in the biscuits. While vegetable carbon is an approved coloring in some contexts, its use in this unlicensed facility alongside expired and undocumented materials prompted the crackdown. Legal action is being taken against those responsible.