After “cases of poisoning”… the Ministry of Health closes a butcher shop with red wax

The Ministry of Public Health issued the following statement: “Following the statement issued two days ago regarding the investigation conducted by the Ministry of Public Health regarding cases of poisoning in the Al-Jahilia region in the Chouf of thirty-four people, eighteen of whom required hospitalization due to the seriousness of their health condition, the diagnosis of infection with Trichinella parasites has been confirmed via Tissue examination at the American University of Beirut laboratory, noting that this infection results from eating pork infected with these parasites.”

He added, “When examining meat samples from the butcheries located in the region in the Agricultural Research Service laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, the results showed the presence of trichinella in the minced meat of the Amjad Al-Ayyas butchery dedicated to selling beef and sheep.”

The statement indicated, “Accordingly, the White Minister issued a decision to close the Al-Ayyas Butchery with red wax and refer the file to the Discrimination Public Prosecution, in conjunction with the completion of investigations into how the minced meat was contaminated with Trichinella, and the reasons for the butchery selling pork on the basis that it is cow or sheep without Declaring this without the knowledge of consumers.

He continued, “As for the other butcher shops in the region, it was found that they were unlicensed and lacked the required health conditions. They were given a specific deadline to meet the safety conditions specified by the Ministry of Public Health and complete the licensing procedures, under penalty of closure and prosecution.”