Lebanon introduces new draft law to strengthen food safety

Lebanon Parliament’s joint committees have approved a new food safety draft law that aims to enhance coordination among ministers.

The draft law has now been referred to the Parliament’s General Assembly for further approval to become introduced. It will enable the creation of the Food Safety Lebanese Commission (FSLC), which will implement and oversee the regulations, The Daily star reported.

Lebanon Health Minister Wael Abu Faour was quoted by Ya Libnan as saying: "The guarantee to our food safety campaign comes through legislation. We made a step forward today.

"The Lebanese should expect safer food once the law is implemented."

The present law is an amended version of the one created by late Lebanonese Economy Minister and Beirut MP Basil Fuleihan in the early 2000s.

The FSLC will be controlled by a seven-member board of food safety experts from a variety of backgrounds and will oversee issues regarding farming, importing, exporting, packaging, storing and selling, among others. It will be responsible to notify about contaminated products in market, sampling food products, sending inspectors to institutions and impose punishments when required.

The new law will also require farmers to monitor the pesticides, animal feed, compost and medicine in order to ensure safety, Lebanon’s Daily Star reported.

In addition, the law addresses issues regarding food packaging, water and slaughterhouses, as well as animal safety.