October 21, 2026
The Minister of Economy and Trade issued a series of decisions suspending the circulation of a number of dairy and cheese products belonging to three factories in the Qab Elias and Housh al-Sayyid Ali regions, after laboratory tests showed that samples of them did not conform to Lebanese standard specifications, in a step aimed at protecting public health and consumer safety.
The procedures included the “Miral Taanayel” factory in the town of Qab Elias (Zahle District), after it was proven that its products, including “Feta” cheese, “Double Cream” and labneh, contain starch and vegetable oils. The Ministry obliged the factory to stop trading these products in the markets, withdraw the quantities offered for sale, and submit detailed schedules within a period of three days in preparation for their destruction under the direct supervision of the Ministry.
The decisions also affected the “Taanayel Milk Center” factory in Qab Elias (Zahle District), after analyzes proved that samples of the “Halloumi,” “Double Cream,” and “Akkawi Czech” cheeses, in addition to the yoghurt commodity, did not conform to the official specifications. Tests detected the presence of starch in halloumi and double cream, and vegetable oils in double cream, Czech akkawi, and yoghurt, which necessitated the immediate suspension of their trading in the Lebanese markets.
In the same context, the third decision was issued against the “Al-Mukhtar Dairy and Cheese Factory” in Housh Al-Sayyid Ali (Hermel District), against the backdrop of the “Akkawi Czech” cheese not conforming to the specifications from a microbial standpoint. The Ministry ordered the product to be withdrawn from the market and to prepare tables of the withdrawn quantities within three days, in preparation for its destruction under its supervision.
These measures fall within a strict monitoring campaign implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Trade to ensure food safety, address violations, and protect consumers from products that violate approved specifications.
