Lebanon Health Minister issues food safety guidelines

Lebanon Health Minister Wael Abu Faour has released new food safety guidelines for restaurants, bars, supermarkets and other food establishments.

The first set of guidelines focuses on collecting food samples to make the process clearer for inspectors and business owners, while the second offers a wide range of safety standards required of restaurants, bars, cafes and supermarkets, The Daily Star reported.

Abu Faour was quoted by the Lebanese Daily Star as saying: "There is definitely corruption in the food industry, but some entrepreneurs might just be ignorant.

"If that is the case, then we want to give them a chance to rectify their wrongs and improve conditions in their enterprises and make matters clear for them and the ministry."

These newly issued guidelines are divided into six sections, which are basic health utilities, human and food sanitation areas, food preparation areas, food storage, staff training and hygiene, and cleaning management.

All these subsections of the guidelines will provide various health-related indicators that serve as a checklist for inspectors.

The guidelines also cover many aspects of cleanliness to ensure the minimum standard of food safety.

It will enable the creation of the Food Safety Lebanese Commission (FSLC), which will implement and oversee the regulations.

In January, Lebanon Parliament’s joint committees had approved a new food safety draft law that aimed to enhance coordination among ministers.