BEIRUT: Prime Minister Tammam Salam applauded the government’s success in tightening control over food safety, claiming it has made Lebanon a healthier place for residents and visitors.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Arab Forum for Food Safety, which opened in Beirut Wednesday, Salam pointed out that food safety is an issue of vital importance for the Lebanese government, given its direct impact on health, tourism and the national economy.
“The health sector [in Lebanon], especially [in] matters of food safety, was affected by the laxity of state control, a fact that prompted my government to launch a nationwide campaign to crackdown on food corruption,” Salam said.
Praising Health Minister Wael Abu Faour for his central role in effort, Salam said that after the “powerful launch” of the campaign, the government is in process of institutionalizing food safety regulations.
A new law on food safety is in the pipeline and a proposal to create a new office for a public prosecutor assigned to health and food safety is being studied, Salam said.
“I can say that the citizen's food is in a better state today and is subject to stronger monitoring standards,” he added.
In October, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour kicked off a campaign aimed at improving food standards throughout Lebanon.
A number of restaurants, slaughterhouses, warehouses and other institutions were shut down for failing to meet health requirements, but many have improved their standards and have since reopened.
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