Judiciary Vows 15-Year Imprisonment to Food-Safety Violators

Adviser to the Justice Minister Judge Mohammed Saab stressed on Monday that the judiciary will show no leniency in the food-safety file and that punishment against violators could reach up to “15 years imprisonment or hard labor.”

“The judiciary is following up closely on the food-safety campaign launched by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, and it will not show leniency in imposing punishment on violators who are threatening the citizens' safety and lives,” said Saab in an interview with An Nahar.

“Sanctions could reach up to 15 years confinement or one billion Lebanese pounds in fines if the act led to the spread of disease,” he added.

He clarified that before taking any decision, the records and accompanying laboratory test results of the food samples will be seen, after hearing the defendants to enable business owners to defend themselves.

Abou Faour launched a food-safety campaign in October 2014 cracking down on violators.