MoET suspends the commercialization of dairy products for non-health compliance

The Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET) disclosed yesterday that it has suspended trading in 19 kinds of dairy products and five of cheeses for failing to comply with health standards. The announcement published on the ministry’s website did not contain a list of the involved establishments which was leaked through the media. However, L’Orient Le Jour newspaper talked to the ministry’s advisor, Jassem Ajaka, who confirmed the leak contents were true. The banned brands, Ajaka pointed out, were infested with bacteria in addition to an unacceptable amount of preservatives or prohibited ingredients. For her part, the Daily Star published the complete list of the violating companies: Labneh brands: 1-Al Habash Institution-Saida, 2-Dairy Fresh-Saida, 3-Jabal Amel-Zaita-Saida, 4-Al Yaman-Saida, 5-Al Akhdar-Adousieh-Saida, 6-Milkana-Dhour al Sarafand- Saida, 7-Marj Al Khiyam- Marjeyoun, 8-Tilal Al Marj-Chwaya-Hasbaya, 9-Sharaf al Baladi-Hasbaya, 10-Khayrat Atroun-Bint Jbeil, 11-Ajban Dweihi-Zgharta-the North, 12-Al Bayeh-Zgharta-the North, 13-Al Shaml-Zgharta-the North, 14-Dairy Day-Kfarshima-Baabda, 15-Hawa Dairy-Safra-Kesrouan, 16-Al Laqlouq-Jbeil, 17-Al Chawaf-Baalbek-Hermel, 18-company in Nabatiyeh whose name was not clear on the list,19- a company missing from the list.  The cheese brands included: 1-Habsh Factory- Saida, 2-Al Majzoub Factory-Saida, 3-Al Akhdar Factory-Adousiyeh-Saida, 4-Ajban Wa Alban Al Rafi’i-Tripoli, and 5- Alban Wa Ajban Ajaj-Al Abdeh. (L’Orient Le Jour, the Daily Star, May 12, 2016)