Zahle food lab accredited

USAID helps local producers meet export market standards

The Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET) has licensed the Zahle food testing lab to issue accredited certificates for agro-food products tested at the lab. 

The lab is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture of Zahle (CCIAZ) which signed a cooperation agreement with the MoET on Friday (May 4). The accreditation is valid for only one year.

The Zahle lab has earned the ISO 17,025 certificate, making its tests recognized internationally. 

The expansion and fitting of the lab was funded through USAID’s Quality Control and Certification (QCC) program. USAID will continue to provide training for lab staff, as well as technical assistance.
The QCC program began in July 2009 with a total budget of $3 million.

The program is assisting three labs in all, those at the chambers of commerce, industry, and agriculture of Tripoli, Zahle, and Saida, helping them become international food testing centers. Such assistance will help small and medium size food producers become compliant with export market standards. 

Reported by Hanadi Chami