Abou Faour: Major Violations at Wheat Silos, Ministry Employees Colluded to Acquit Culprits

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour announced Thursday that there are major violations at the wheat silos of the Beirut Port, as he unveiled “collusion” by some Health Ministry employees who tried to cover up embezzlement at health institutions in the North.

“We inspected the wheat silos at the Beirut Port and determined that the area surrounding the silos does not meet the proper health standards, amid the presence of a large quantity of truck wheels and bugs,” Abou Faour said at a joint press conference with Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb.

The minister also revealed the presence of septic water around the silos as well as “a large number of birds that can cause cross-contamination.”

“The process of loading and unloading the grains does not meet the minimum requirements of food safety,” Abou Faour said, lamenting “the lack of hygiene.”

“This will not be tolerated because these silos provide the largest portion of Lebanon's bread,” the minister added.

Separately, Abou Faour said he has asked Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq to take measures to “shut down two slaughterhouses owned by Tony Sammour and Sabah Issa in (Batroun's) Tannourine al-Fawqa because they do not meet the proper health conditions.”

Turning to the issue of restaurants, the minister revealed that “90-95% of restaurant workers do not have health certificates.”

“The certificates will become compulsory ... and violating firms will be shut down,” he warned.

Abou Faour also noted that “all food products and juices for children below 3 years of age will be inspected by the Ministry of Health from now on.”

Separately, the minister unveiled a scandal of embezzlement at second-degree health institutions in the North, noting that four inspecting doctors were referred to the judiciary.

“It seems that some parties have managed to infiltrate into the Ministry of Health at the request of Omar Sablouh with the aim of manipulating the cards and interactions that highlight his violations,” Abou Faour said.

“According to our preliminary information, ministry employees had colluded with him,” he added, revealing that he has referred the case to the financial prosecution for legal action against the civil servants.

The minister also unveiled a new list of firms violating food safety standards in several Lebanese regions.

Y.R.