Lebanese Food Safety Authority Launch Marks Key Step in Governance Enhancement

The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, under the patronage and presence of Minister Nizar Hani and in cooperation with the Lebanese University, held an extensive national meeting at the High Institute for Doctoral Studies hall in the Faculty of Science and Technology. The event gathered representatives from ministries, official institutions, international organizations, universities, the private sector, experts, researchers, and students to commemorate World Food Safety Day 2026. This year’s theme, "From burden assessment to solutions: towards safe food everywhere," aimed to enhance national coordination on food safety and develop joint operational mechanisms among various stakeholders.

The opening session included participation from Minister of Public Health Dr. Rakan Nassereddine, Lebanese University President Professor Bassam Badran, FAO representative in Lebanon Noura Ourabah Haddad, Director General of Agriculture Engineer Louis Lahoud, Chairman of the Lebanese Food Safety Authority Professor Elie Awad, along with officials, experts, and academics.

A panel discussion titled "Multisectoral Cooperation Enhances Food Safety" was moderated by Minister Hani. Participants included Director General Lahoud, Director General of Industry Adel Chabab, Director General of the Lebanese Standards and Norms Institution (LIBNOR) Engineer Lana Dargham, Chairman of the Lebanese Food Safety Authority Professor Elie Awad, a representative of the General Director of the Ministry of Economy and Trade Engineer Tania Abi Al-Hassan, a representative of the General Director of the Agricultural Scientific Research Directorate Dr. Lina Jaber, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University Dr. Nadine Nassif, and the Syndicate of Food Industries President Ramez Bou Nader.

The meeting was also attended by Health Inspector General Nidal Al-Ra’i, former Director Generals, Ministry of Agriculture staff, representatives of international organizations, deans of faculties, experts, scientists, researchers, and representatives from official administrations, the private sector, and students.

Professor Elie Awad inaugurated the meeting’s proceedings by reviewing the key tasks of the Lebanese Food Safety Authority and its role in strengthening governance and food control. He emphasized that the authority’s success depends on establishing cooperation and coordination among various stakeholders in the public and private sectors to ensure consumer protection and enhance confidence in the national food system.

Director General Louis Lahoud stressed that this year’s theme reflects the urgent need to move from understanding the burden to implementing sustainable practical solutions. He highlighted that food safety is a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of all partners.

Lahoud further explained that this day is part of a series of national days organized by the Ministry of Agriculture to support Lebanese agricultural and food products. He noted that food safety is an essential component of the ministry’s daily tasks, carried out through its specialized technical bodies in the plant and animal sectors and their products.

Professor Bassam Badran affirmed that the university dedicates its scientific and research capabilities to national issues, foremost among them food safety. He stressed that the university’s doors remain open to all cooperation that contributes to advancing scientific knowledge and applying it to build a modern and effective national food safety system. He emphasized that the university’s mission extends beyond education to producing generations that build the nation.

FAO representative Noura Ourabah Haddad stated that food safety is a fundamental pillar of public health, food security, and economic development. She pointed out that most food-related risks can be prevented through reliance on science, accurate data, and enhanced cooperation among stakeholders. She praised the partnership between FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Agricultural Scientific Research Directorate. Haddad reiterated the organization's commitment to supporting national efforts to strengthen the food safety system, affirming that safe food is a right for every person and a shared responsibility.

Minister of Public Health Dr. Rakan Nassereddine underscored the importance of coordination and integration among ministries and relevant institutions, noting that food safety is a national priority due to its direct impact on public health.

He welcomed the establishment of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Food Safety Authority, considering it a fundamental step in enhancing governance, oversight, and coordination among various stakeholders. He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture for organizing the comprehensive national meeting.

Minister Nizar Hani concluded the opening session by emphasizing that celebrating World Food Safety Day is not merely an awareness occasion but a national milestone to renew commitment to building an integrated system that guarantees citizens’ right to safe and healthy food and strengthens consumer confidence in Lebanese products and their competitiveness in local and international markets.

Hani pointed out that forming the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Food Safety Authority represents a long-awaited reform step that will establish a new phase of coordination and integration among different administrations and institutions. This approach is based on modern scientific methods centered on risk assessment, prevention, rapid response, and cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He clarified that food safety is no longer solely a technical or regulatory issue but has become a fundamental element of national security, health security, and food security due to its direct connection to human health, sustainable agricultural production, enhancement of agricultural and food exports, and protection of the national economy.

Hani affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture places food safety at the core of its daily priorities through monitoring plant and animal production and their products, developing laboratories and regulatory systems, enhancing agricultural guidance, and supporting farmers and food industries to adopt best practices and international standards.

He concluded by stressing that building an advanced national food safety system requires genuine partnership among ministries, official institutions, universities, research centers, international organizations, and the private sector. He noted that gathering these entities around a shared vision sends a clear message that Lebanon possesses the competencies, expertise, and will necessary to elevate the food safety system to levels that align with best global practices and ensure safe and healthy food for every citizen and resident.

National Recommendations to Strengthen Food Safety in Lebanon

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed on a set of key recommendations, including:

1. Establishing an integrated national framework for food safety based on effective cooperation, coordination, and clear definition of roles and responsibilities among all stakeholders along the food chain.

2. Ensuring full implementation of Law No. 35/2015 on food safety and supporting the Lebanese Food Safety Authority to complete its internal regulations, operational mechanisms, and human resources.

3. Developing a unified national food safety policy adopting a risk assessment approach, product monitoring and tracking, rapid response to food emergencies, information exchange, harmonization of control procedures, laboratory enhancement, and capacity building.

4. Creating a national communication plan on food risks that includes clear mechanisms for information exchange and coordination among ministries and relevant entities to promote transparency and consumer trust.

5. Enhancing Lebanon’s participation in setting international standards, activating the National Codex Committee, and supporting national food industries to reach global standards by empowering the Lebanese Accreditation Council (COLIBAC), encouraging adoption of internationally recognized production practices, and expanding access of Lebanese products to foreign markets.

6. Strengthening partnerships among the public and private sectors, universities, research centers, and professional syndicates, and embedding the concept of shared responsibility in food safety.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, the meeting served as a unifying national occasion confirming that building an integrated food safety system in Lebanon requires sustainable participatory work based on science, innovation, and institutional coordination to ensure safe and healthy food for all citizens and to enhance confidence in Lebanese products in local and international markets.