LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - October 30, 2025

The Ministry of Economy and Trade revealed on Wednesday that it identified 476 violations of food safety regulations during inspections conducted so far this year. 

Mohammad Abou Haidar, Director General of the Ministry, told a parliamentary meeting that nearly 17,900 field inspections were carried out across Lebanon, resulting in the detection of those violations.

The disclosure emerged during a session of the parliamentary committee on national economy, industry, trade and planning, chaired by MP Farid Boustany.

Boustany used the report to press for stronger authority for the Lebanese Food Safety Authority, arguing that it must be empowered to better protect consumers. 

He also called for a centralized system to accredit laboratories, with an official list of approved labs and defined testing roles.

The committee discussed recent concerns over water contamination in Tannourine bottled water, which was temporarily withdrawn from the market last week. Initial bacterial findings triggered the recall, though subsequent tests reportedly cleared the water.

Lebanese consumers, already burdened by economic crises, now face growing anxiety over the safety of everyday food and drink products.