Abou Faour Calls for Health, Nutrition Emergency: Situation is Disastrous
Health Minister Wael Abou Faour refused on Wednesday any renovations at the Karantina ill-famed slaughterhouse, revealing more names to the list of institutions violating food safety measures.
“We should announce a health and nutrition emergency in the country as the situation is disastrous,” Abou Faour told reporters during a press conference
“We are demanding the construction of a modern slaughterhouse in Beirut that meets all the health and scientific requirements.”
Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib had decided to rehabilitate the notorious slaughterhouse in Karantina and impose strict health measures on workers.
Chebib's decision comes two days after he toured the slaughterhouse and in light of a food safety campaign that Abou Faour kicked off recently by revealing the names of violating food firms and restaurants across Lebanon.
Beirut's slaughterhouse is well-known for having “disastrous” hygiene conditions.
Abou Faour added that the Progressive Socialist Party ministers will suggest during Thursday's cabinet session a proposal to task the Council for Development and Construction (CVR) to construct a new slaughterhouse.
The minister, who is affiliated to the PSP, pointed out that “the water at the slaughterhouse is an extra problem,” noting that the closure of the place shouldn't be “temporary to serve personal interests.”
“We reject beautifying measures,” Abou Faour said, noting that “negligence should end as the health of the Lebanese is at stake.”
He revealed that he will hold a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss, in addition to the food safety law, the formation of a food safety association in the country.
Abou Faour announced the closure of the slaughterhouses of Aqbiyeh, Bisariyeh and Ghazieh in south Lebanon.
He told reporters that he will dispatch a letter to Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq to shut down all violating institutions.
Abou Faour announced later a new list of violating restaurants and institutions:
- Al-Salam butchery: Meat / the Zgharta district.
-Youssef Franjieh butchery: Meat / yhe Zgharta district.
-Prima Prix Supermarket: Chicken burger / The Jezzine district.
-Harfouch Supermarket: Hamburger/ the Jezzine district.
-Shabab Butchery: Minced meat and Kafta / the northern Metn area of Bourj Hammoud.
-Abou Ibrahim Naamani in the southern city of Sidon.
-Al-Mahata restaurant: Chicken Shawarma / Sidon.
-Bsat Saida: Soujouk (hot sausage) and Labne / Sidon.
-Pizza Hut: Cheese / Koura.
-Jroumiyeh: Ashta.
-Amash Halawi factory: Ashta / Bint Jebeil.
-Tebnine Group: Taouk.
-Baydoun: Meat burgers / Bint Jbeil
-Al-Nabulsi restaurant: Kafta – Fajitas – Taouk / Minniyeh Dinniyeh.
-Chicken slaughterhouse of Saeed Hazam: Chicken and meat / Minniyeh Dinniyeh.
-Al-Laqqis Supermarket: Akkawi, Halloum and Baladi cheese / Baalbek.
-Shawwaf: Labne / Baakbek.
-Al-Zahraa: Chicken / Baalbek.
-Abi Nader Supermarket: Minced meat and Fajitas / Baabda.
-Bou Khalil Supermarket: Shawarma / Baabda.
-Khouri: Cow and sheep meat / Batroun.
-Batroun Supermarket: Goat meat.
-Al-Natour: Processed Meat / Beirut.
-Bou Khalil: Minced Meat / Kousba.
-Al-Qasr Bakery: Bread / Minniyeh Dinniyeh.
-Abdul Rahman: Minniyeh Dinniyeh.
-Farouj al-Zahabi: Chicken / Rashaya.
-Suleiman Hmad butchery: Meat / Rashaya.
Abou Faour had announced so far two other lists that include some popular restaurant chains and supermarkets that are serving customers food contaminated with bacteria and other inedible substances.
Violations included the presence of flies on the refrigerators of dairy products, the presence of open garbage bins in kitchens, workers not wearing gloves, and frying oil that was not changed for months.
H.K.
M.T.
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