Lebanese Republic 
Announcements
Clarifying statement in response to what was widely reported in terms of the human health risk caused by the nuts
Minister of Economy and Trade Raed Khoury issued a clarifying statement in response to what was widely reported in the media and social media networks in terms of the human health risk caused by the nuts, in particular pistachios. It stated the following:
“The Ministry of Economy and Trade issued the following statement:
Further to was reported in the media and social media networks concerning the human health risk caused by the nuts, especially the pistachios, the Ministry wishes to clarify the following:
1- The broadcasted information are not based on documented scientific studies prepared by research institutes or laboratories.
2- Lebanese food industries, including nuts, are exported to countries all over the world and sold in their markets, in particular at the duty free, once the laboratory tests are conducted by the countries’ competent authorities; where it is totally forbidden to sell any goods that are non-compliant with international standards or that constitute a risk to human health.
3- It should be mentioned that the Ministry of Economy and Trade that usually takes daily samples of nuts from roasters, factories and points of sales in order to protect the consumer, had undertook sampling from 28 factories and roasters in different Lebanese regions after discussions being carried. In this regard, the sampling tests’ results revealed that these samples are compliant to local and international requirements concerning the Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin dosage that may be carcinogenic to humans. The Ministry will continue sampling nuts, in particular pistachios, from points of sales. It is worth mentioning that raw nuts being processed and manufactured in the Lebanese exhibitions and factories are imported from various countries, hence being subject to the required laboratory tests before they gain access to the lebanese markets.
Based on the above, the Ministry of Economy and Trade warns all the media of publishing any food safety articles or inquiries unless they rely on documented scientific information in order not to stir unjustified panic among the consumers and for the purpose of the national economy protection”.
