Spoiled food exposed

Chamber of Commerce vows to penalize merchants selling expired food

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIABML) vowed to permanently suspend the membership of companies that are proved to be involved in food corruption scandals. The decision was a result of consultations with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, according to the president of the CCIABML, Mohamad Choucair.

The Minister of Industry, Vrej Sabounjian, called on the judicial authorities to reveal the names of all corporations involved in food corruption cases.

The Consumer Protection directorate at the Ministry of Economy exposed a major food corruption case last week. Authorities raided several shops and warehouses across the country, seizing tons of expired food products, including meat, fish, chicken, and canned foodstuffs.

The Consumer Protection Association called on the government to implement a 2005 law which regulates consumer protection. It also called for reactivating the National Council for Consumer Protection, which it said has been inoperative for four years. The Council is tasked with ensuring the safety of consumers.

The 2005 Consumer Protection law also states that retailers who knowingly sell expired or spoiled foodstuff could face a jail sentence ranging between three months and one year, as well as a fine of between $17,000 and $30,000.