Concerns about consumer protection have come to the forefront after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry ordered the temporary closure of Royal Dad Enterprise following allegations that the store sold rice considered unfit for human consumption.
The action was taken after a report by Spoon Network highlighted a complaint from a customer who claimed she purchased a bag of rice from the business but later discovered it was spoiled.
According to the customer, Jamesatta Gbartea, she bought the bag of rice for US$85. However, after preparing the rice at home, she noticed it had an unpleasant odor and appeared rotten.
“I bought the rice for eighty-five United States dollars, but when I cooked it, I noticed that the rice was rotten,” Gbartea explained while recounting the incident.
She said she immediately returned to the store to seek a refund or replacement for the product. However, she claims the request was rejected by the business owner, leaving her with no choice but to report the matter.
The complaint prompted authorities from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to visit the premises of Royal Dad Enterprise. Following their initial assessment, officials ordered the temporary shutdown of the business while a full investigation is conducted.
According to the ministry, the closure is a precautionary measure intended to protect consumers and determine whether the company violated regulations governing the sale of food products in Liberia.
Officials say the investigation is expected to begin immediately and will examine whether the rice sold by the business was indeed unwholesome or improperly stored before being offered for sale.
As of now, the management of Royal Dad Enterprise has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The case has renewed public discussion about food safety, consumer rights, and the need for stronger oversight of businesses selling essential food commodities in Liberia.
