Food safety can we cook & develop & vote a Law in Lebanon?

Print screen of Food Safety association Lebanon NGO

I am not panicking, I am thinking how we can stop microbes, poisoning clients and people in restaurants and food places in Lebanon. Kids love to eat nuggets and Macdo Nuggets are bad?!  There is not a proper law for food safety that sets standards for  what we eat  in restaurants in Lebanon. Our dear MPs have not voted for a law for food Safety in Lebanon, I just found that late Fuleihan proposed a law, but “In 2006, the law was debated in the council of ministers and sent to parliament for further discussion but there has been no action since. ” Also, as per the Daily Star in 2012, “Future Movement MP Atef Majdalani submitted  a draft law on food safety, saying it aims to modernize a sector which has failed to keep up with modern standards.” Again, Nothing happened and a law protecting people’s life has not been “Cooked”.

I checked the Official gazette, nothing was voted and published in it since then related to food safety, so is the law sleeping in Parliament drawers, while citizens are eating “bad” and poisonous food? Food that is ‘dipped in diseases and microbes’ as yesterday’s Minister Faour Said in his press conference? Does anyone has other information ?

as for the minister Abou Faour , Is this just a flash campaign from the ministry of health, “flash” as “flash mobs” or will they continue testing “without taking “Rendez-vous” from restaurants and eating facilities? how can Inspectors for food safety not be bribed? Will the ministry publish the details of the results of all tests done? And what were they “testing”? Hygiene, microbes, salmonella?

I checked if there is Non Governmental Organisations working on the subject, I just found one called LAFS  Lebanese Association for Food Safety , they are not very active as their website is not updated and their Facebook Page is sleeping since the “Labneh scandal”,  March 27 2014 I believe, here is a print screen.

The good thing I found on their website are the description of Symptoms and illnesses even though they don’t add the sources of their information. Below is a copy paste of what is related to that.

I am repeating my self, Food Safety comes First, we need to have a proper law that regulates the tests, the “kabssets” and proper system of implementation that will penalize those who brake the law.

Again, I am repeating my last questioning post related to Roadster a place I go to a lot, what is the take of Roadster related to the chicken that failed the test? Especially that the cover page picture of Lebanese association for food safety on Facebook  shows a partnership with roadsterdiner.

My question, is food safety truly respected at roadsters or it is just a communication campaign and branding issue?

as for my credentials : a normal citizen asking for her right for proper and safe food in a country known for its restaurants and hospitality and eating services and Tabbouleh!

Rita Chemaly

Cover picture of the Lebanese Association for Food Safety partnering with Roadsterdiner taken from Facebook

Symptoms and Illnesses Staphylococcus aureus Symptoms Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Illness Symptoms usually occur 2 to 6 hours after consumption of the contaminated food Illness is self-limiting and lasts for 24 hours   Clostridium botulinum Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, and double vision Loss of muscle activity, slurred speech, difficult swallowing, breathing and moving limbs If left untreated, death occurs within 1-5 days from respiratory failure   Illness Symptoms start to occur 18-35 hours after the ingestion Infant botulism was associated with consuming honey Can be treated if caught early   Campylobacter jejuni Symptoms Abdominal pain/cramps Headache, Diarrhea (sometimes bloody) Nausea and sometimes vomiting Fever, chills   Illness Individuals normally gets sick after 2-5 days of consuming the contaminated food Duration is approximately 1 week Further complications could be Meningitis, paralysis leading to death   Salmonella Symptoms Headache Fever and chills Diarrhea, cramps Nausea Vomiting Illness Individuals normally gets sick 12 to 24 hours of consuming the contaminated food Period of illness is 1-3 days Infected individuals can carry and shed Salmonella for months without showing any symptoms.   Listeria monocytogenes Symptoms In healthy individuals the symptoms are “flu-like” Susceptible individuals (pregnant women, elderly, newborns and infants, immunosuppressed individuals: Stillbirth or abortion Meningitis Pneumonia Septicemia (infection of the blood) Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart) Illness Individuals normally gets sick after few days to 35 days of consuming the contaminated food High mortality rate (30-40%)!! E coli O157:H7 Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea and urine Kidney failure and death Illness Infective dose is extremely low < 10 cells!!! Incubation period is around 2 days High mortality rate! Bacillus cereus Illness and symptoms Two types of syndromes The first Onset of symptoms occur within 8 to 16 hours of ingesting the food Duration of the illness is short 6-24 hours Main symptom: Diarrhea The second Illness similar to Staph aureus Onset of symptoms is short (1-6 hours) Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, and eventually diarrhea

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Food Safety in Lebanon scandal touches Roadsterdiner restaurant… is that true?

I am sad, as I am a fan of Roadsterdiner and we eat in Jaleldib branch since its opening, whether with friends, or recently with my family, It is so sad to know that chicken meat at Roadsterdiner Jaleldib doesn’t comply with the standards of food safety of the Ministry of Health in Lebanon.

We had diner in Roadster Jaleldib 4 days ago, and we ate chicken, meat, apetizers, pasta, and as I am a loyal Customer, I can’t but ask what kind of test the Ministry has done to test the chicken

If Roadsterdiner served a bad chicken, they should be held accountable, I as other clients most be aware of what is served in our plate, but I can’t but ask about how the ministry chose their sample to inspect Roadster diner.

I prefer to have more information about :

1- what kind of microbes they found,

2- Did they test other types of food in that restaurant?

3- Did they tested other branches?

What is the feedback of Roadsters? (I Tweeted them the question and retweeted some questions about that same issue, till now I  didn’t get any feedback).

Bad food is bad food, and food that is not conforming to Safety standards is for me = Poison.  I can’t accept it.

This is dangerous on our Heath, I’m just thinking that 4 days ago my baby boy ate there! he had some bites from my Salmon Hero sandwich, the best Tortilla with cheese I eat, the cheese at heart and other type of food! I am afraid now with that minister’s list.

I am reading all the comments on twitter, and how campaigns pro and cons roadsters are poping out “strip for roadster” as a reminder of strip for Jackie Chamoun campaign some fans of roadsters are saying, but I prefer to know more about the test, the chemicals or microbes found, when and how?

again  this time , it is serious, I don’t like to be poisoned, especially when we eat in a place were we think it is safe and clean, and up to certain standards of food safety.

again, the “bomb”  that Abou Faour blowed up distresses me a lot! and I m waiting for more information especially that Roadsterdiner in Jaledib is a place a I go to a lot!

For those interested in the news: here is the link to NNA Abou Faour: la nourriture des Libanais, ‘bourrée de microbes’

Rita Chemaly

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Consortium of Universities launching a new master in Democratic Governance

Here is the good news of the day, Political Science Insitute of Saint-Joseph University has partnered with other Universities in the region to launch the Master in Democratic Governance, Democracy and Human rights in the MENA Region. the Masters offers a ” unique programme designated to meet the needs of students, professionals and experts who want to deepen their knowledge in the field of democratic governance and human rights in the Arab world. It also aims to give practical experience needed for building up their professional career and academic activities.”

The partnering universities are

• Cadi Ayyad University (Morocco),
• International University of Rabat (Morocco),
• Carthage University (Tunisia),
• Birzeit University (Palestine),
• Saint Joseph University (Lebanon),
• Ca’ Foscari University (Italy)

The tuitions are fees amount to 3600 euro with possibility of tuition waivers.

The programme will provide for grants covering accommodation and subsistence costs (around 2000 euro for the stay in Venice and around 1500 euro for the second semester).

The deadline for application is the 5th December 2014.

I am happy to read that great Rana Habib professor of St Joseph University that is following ISP since years now is reponsible of one of the Module : International relations in the global systems of HR protection

W9: International Instruments

W10: Gender equality, protection of minorities

W11: Regional systems of HR protection

the other modules and their responsibles and all the program details are the follwoing:

Dates: 19^th January- end of June 2015
Deadline for Applications: 5^th December 2014
Location: Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido (Italy)
Programme Director: Prof. Mohsine El Ahmadi

Master in Democratic Governance

The Master’s programme offers students a multidisciplinary course of study with a mix of theory and practice, covering topics ranging from the principles and practices of democracy, the rule of law, the international and regional systems for Human Rights protection to specialised courses focused on the process of political and social development and transition.

In addition, the Master seeks to create a Euro-Mediterranean network of academic institutions and foster professors and students’ exchange in the field of democracy and human rights.

The programme consists of two semesters:

• 1 semester: from 19^th January to 3^rd April 2015 (11 weeks) in Venice-Lido, Italy
• 2 semester: from 7^th April to the end of June 2015 (13 weeks) in one of the partner universities

Programme of the first semester

1st Module: Democracy and Rights (3 weeks)	W1: Political theory: State, civil society, Democratic Institutions W2: Citizenship and political rights W3: Democracy, social and economic rights	Responsible for the thematic section:  Prof. Mudar Kassis, from the Birzeit University, Palestine
2nd Module: Governance, law and constitutional process (3 weeks)	W4: Rule of Law, Governance W5: Control mechanisms W6: Political transition	Responsible for the thematic section: to be appointed soon
3rd Module: Development of the Political system in the Arab world (2 weeks)	W7: Current issues W8: The role of media	Responsible for the thematic section: Prof. Rachida Einnafer, from the University of Carthage, Tunisia

Here is the link for the admissions and registration requirements and forms.

Do not hesitate to contact ISP secretariat in Lebanon for more information 01/421443 or isp@isp.usj.edu.lb

Rita

Rita Chemaly

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#TakeBackTheMétro une campagne en France pr que les femmes affirment leur droit d’user des espaces publics sans crainte

#TakeBackTheMétro, me rappelle la Campagne de Salwa qui a été initiee au Liban par le Collectif feministe “Nasawiya” il y a quelques annees. La campagne #TakeBackTheMétro en France est lancee par “Osez le féminisme !” pr que les femmes affirment leur droit d’user des espaces publics sans crainte.

voici l’article qui l’annonce:

#TakeBackTheMétro

• Article

Osez le féminisme ! lance aujourd’hui sa nouvelle campagne : Take back the métro !, L’objectif ? Dénoncer les violences machistes dont sont victimes les femmes dans les transports en commun et interpeller les transporteurs afin qu’ils réagissent.

Selon une enquête réalisée par Osez le Féminisme dans le métro parisien, 94% des 150 femmes interrogées indiquent avoir déjà subi des comportements sexistes intimidants, du sifflement à l’agression sexuelle. Par peur d’agression, près des trois quart d’entre elles adaptent leur comportement ou leurs tenues vestimentaires lorsqu’elles sont dans le métro. Une étude Reuters parue cette semaine indiquait que 8 Parisiennes sur 10 pensaient que personne ne les aideraient si elles étaient victimes d’un viol dans le métro.

Malgré le débat public sur le harcèlement de rue, ce sujet ne s’est pas encore traduit par des actions de sensibilisation de grande ampleur de la part des pouvoirs publics.

Pourtant, les régies de transports communiquent largement pour prévenir des vols à la tire, la fraude ou la mendicité, mettent en garde les voyageurs contre les pickpockets, les colis suspects ou même sensibilisent sur les incivilités. Ils ne l’ont jamais fait sur les violences sexistes qui touchent pourtant une grande partie de leurs usagèr-e-s.

Cela doit changer! Les femmes sont aussi légitimes que les hommes dans l’espace public et devraient être parfaitement libres de circuler et de se déplacer comme bon leur semble. Nous voulons :

que les femmes puissent se réapproprier les transports et en faire usage sans craintes,
que les transporteurs tels que la RATP en Ile-de-France, mènent des actions de prévention et de lutte contre les violences sexistes.

Pour reprendre le le métro, le bus, le tram, le RER et tous les transports mis à la disposition des citoyennes, Osez le Féminisme! lance une campagne intitulée #TackBackTheMetro. Vous pouvez y participer:

– En vous inscrivant pour les prochaines actions collectives et festives dans le métro: pour « reprendre » les transports,
– En diffusant sur les réseaux sociaux les visuels humoristiques qui visent à détourner les visuels existants dans le métro parisien,
– En signant et en diffusant la pétition à destination des régies de transport afin qu’elles mettent en place un plan de lutte contre ces violences

NB: Le nom de notre campagne, #TakeBackTheMétro fait référence aux marches “Take Back the Night”[Reprenez la nuit]. Initiées aux États-Unis dans les années 70, ces marches nocturnes composées uniquement de femmes visent à affirmer leur droit de faire usage des espaces publics sans crainte de harcèlement sexuel ou d’agression sexuelle.

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National numbers and stats about women in Lebanon… latest researches 2014

Following the part one blog post ” Recent legal achievements about women in Lebanon… latest researches 2014“, here are some other national surveys that can help researchers prepare their desk reviews about what exists in Lebanon:

Do not forget the MDG follow up 2013-2014 launched last month by the Council of Minister in Lebanon.

the Latest report that is very well known is the MICS 2009, In my opinion we need to update it asap but here is it link:

 http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/Mics3/CAS_MICS3_survey_2009.pdf

Labour Market In Lebanon

This publication focuses on the Labour Market in Lebanon gathering a number of key indicators and figures from different sources.

Type of publication: Indicators.

Language: English, Arabic

Format: pdf file size 2.87MB  (Download file: English, Arabic)

Women in Numbers in Lebanon prepared by Maral tutelian for CAS april 2014

http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/PressRoom/Women%20in%20Lebanon_Dr.%20Maral%20Tutelian_Grand%20Serail%2023%20Avril%202014_Presentation.pdf

here is the presentation in arabic http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/PressRoom/Women%20in%20Lebanon_Dr.%20Maral%20Tutelian_Grand%20Serail%2023%20Avril%202014.pdf

please stop giving me outdated data, we can create and find data as most of the ministries and national insitutions are publishing theirs online.

good luck for all researchers!! 🙂

Rita

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Recent legal achievements about women in Lebanon… latest researches 2014

I am lost with some “studies” using 2005 as a baseline. I can’t stand duplications in the work of International Organisations. They are ready to pay amounts for  compilations that exists already, and for action plans that already have been developped in a participatory manner by numerous NGOs and  Govermental organisations.

In Lebanon, numerous authors, researchers and Organisations have worked on studies and documents that go beyond that date (2005) or 2006.

For all those who want to do a research about women rights in Lebanon, please do go back to the core CEDAW reports,

please do call NGOs working on legal issues (they are not numerous and phone calls wont take a whole day). (The goodones I advise you to call are : Abaad, Crtda, LFPA, LADE, CFUWI, KAFA, and of course the National Institution that that holds a coordinative and consultative mission that is NCLW:

Moreover you can check some Websites: all Information is available online, this is normal access to information right:

CEDAW report published in 2014 is available online!

Additionly to follow on legal issues, do not hesitate to check the easy and friendly tables published in NCLW reports:
Annual report 2013 (available in English and Arabic) is comprehensive related to the National Campaigns organised by numerous NGOs.

Annual report 2012 covers what happened till the end of 2012. (available in english and arabic)

and Annual Report 2011, shows the great work and details all laws related to women and the efforts done to implement them .

Moreover a full compilation of all the laws that exist in the Lebanese parliament drawers and the decrees presented to/or studied by the council of ministers have been compiled thematically in this big study funded by UNFPA lebanon. (Arabic version)

There is the  raodmap worked on with the Lebanese Parliament funded by UNDP and compiling  all laws related to women and that has been published in August 2013. AVAILABLE IN arabic .

For those who want to go back to the core texts developped and updated in a participatory manner here is the link for the Women National Strategy 2011-2021 (available in French, english and Arabic). Here is the Link to the National Action Plan 2013-2016 (available in arabic) and that aims to follow up on the implementation of the national strategy goals by various stakeholders.

More than that, all texts quoted previously give credit to all NGOs that have worked on a certain issue, so hearing again the “assumption” that NGOs in Lebanon do not work together or collaborate is in my opinion misleading! and using numbers from 2005 2006 reports a baselines for “legal and contextual researches” is in my opinion outdated.

Rita Chemaly.

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Hihglighting great movie produced by Catharsis Lebanon

A new movie will be screened in Lebanese Cinemas since November 20, Shehrazadeh’s Diaries,

a movie by Zeina Daccache director of Catharsis, the NGO that works in Lebanon to offer therapeutic help through theater and art.

to watch the trailer of the movie do click this link http://youtu.be/5VnZGmd6EMg

here is a brief about Catharsis:

Catharsis is the 1^st non-profit organization in Lebanon to promote & offer therapeutic actions through the use of theatre & art processes for individuals and groups.  It offers services & programs in various social, educational & therapeutic settings such as substance abuse treatment centers, mental health facilities, hospitals, correctional facilities, private practice settings for children & adults, schools and corporations.  Catharsis also works with individuals who want to explore various life problems & expand their quality of life.  Catharsis produced the play & documentary 12 Angry Lebanese with male inmates of Roumieh Prison (2009-2010);  Scheherazade in Baabda the play interpreted by Baabda prison women inmates(2012); the play From the Bottom of my Brain with the residents at Al Fanar psychiatric hospital(2013); the documentary Scheherazade’s Diary with the Baabda inmates (2013).

Great work and I’m eager to watch it on the big Screen!!

Rita Chemaly

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