14 March 2012
BEIRUT: Three people were taken into custody Tuesday as authorities raided stores in north and south Lebanon to confiscate large quantities of spoiled food as part of a crackdown on the sale of expired goods, according to security sources.
They said a raid was carried out by Tyre Municipality police in coordination with the Economy Ministry’s Consumer Protection Office.
The sources said large quantities of expired cheese and other dairy products as well as canned food had been seized from five stores in Tyre.
Tyre Mayor Hasan Dbouk said that “the spoiled food was destroyed and fines were issued against those involved along with a stern warning.”
“Tyre’s municipality will not be lenient in the issue of people’s food safety and the raids that are being carried out by the municipality’s health committee will be significantly increased in the coming days,” Dbouk added.
Separately, police in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the Consumer Protection Office discovered Tuesday over 7 tons of spoiled frozen meats at a cold storage facility in the Beddawi area in Tripoli, and have detained two people for questioning.
Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi reasserted Tuesday that the judiciary is following up the issue of spoiled foodstuffs, stating that Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting will discuss food safety laws and monitoring, as it is not enough to just punish violators.
After discovering the expired goods, police sealed the Beddawi facility and said they planned to destroy the spoiled meat, which constitutes a danger to people’s health.
According to sources, the meat was imported and had been hidden in the facility for several months. The sources added that part of the meat was distributed during Eid al-Adha.
The Consumer Protection Office urged the Health Ministry to renew its efforts and to establish monitoring committees across the country to eliminate the public health threat.
In the Marjayoun village of Bourj al-Molouk, police raided a warehouse and confiscated 30 boxes of spoiled chicken and meat in coordination with the Consumer Protection Office. The police close the warehouse and arrested the owner.
Large amounts of spoiled minced beef, butter, green beans, fish filet, shrimp, frozen garlic, chicken, sujuk sausages and frozen meat have recently been confiscated from stores and warehouses in and around Beirut.
Copyright The Daily Star 2012.
