New stringent measures for Lebanese restaurants to ensure quality

The minister of health Wael Abu Faoor announced in a press conference yesterday the beginning of implementation of the quality rating program for Lebanese restaurants in agreement with the syndicates of owners of restaurants and hotels and the federation of syndicates of tourism institutions and as part of the ongoing food safety campaign. Abu Faoor presented the objectives of the program which are as follows: underscoring the positive image of Lebanese restaurants; motivating food industry establishments; enhancing and raising the quality of food; reducing incidents of food poisoning and improving hospitality services in general. The health minister explained that the program will start from Beirut with a team of 11 inspectors who are expected to visit over three phases some 931 establishments in the capital. The first phase includes conducting a preliminary assessment and taking notes that will be passed to the involved restaurant. A second assessment documenting any relevant improvements to be followed by a third which will be conducted after three months from the first and at the end of which, the restaurant will be classified in terms of quality as per a list of criteria, including: location of food preparation, delivery and presentation, staff performance, disinfecting and hygiene, sanitary facilities, locker rooms and routine tests for water and food… Scores will be given to restaurants according to compliance with the above mentioned benchmarks before final accreditation as silver (80-90% compliance), platinum (over 90%) or no certification (below 80%). Abu Faoor stressed that certificate should be posted at the entrance of the restaurant where it should be visible to clientele. Abou Faoor concluded by announcing a new decision in agreement with trade unions concerned that requires all establishments involved in preparing or serving food to enroll at least one of their fixed-term employees in regular food safety training workshops. Implementation of the decision will go in effect as of the first of next September, he added. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, 30 June 2015)