The head of the Association of Restaurant Owners Tony Rami stressed Wednesday that the restaurant sector has always been under the law, and is keen on ensuring food safety for the country's citizens.
In this regard, the association held several meetings with the concerned ministers, including Ministers of Tourism Michel Pharaon and Economy and Trade Alain Hakim. A meeting will be scheduled with Health Minister Wael Abou Faour.
During the meetings, Rami stressed that “a good restaurant should not fall victim to the repercussions resulting from the negligence of a few corrupt restaurants,” condemning the defamation campaign that was lunched against the entire sector, as he said.
“The adoption of food safety standards vary from one place to another due to the absence of a law that defines and imposes these standards,” he stated.
Accordingly, Rami said that the association rejects this "defamation campaign until written warnings and judicial verdicts are issued to condemn the concerned restaurants."
On Tuesday, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour warned of unsuitable foodstuffs being sold to the Lebanese public, noting that several food providers have fallen short of meeting the proper health standards.
Abou Faour listed in a press conference the violating supermarkets and restaurants across the country, underscoring the types of unfit foods being sold.