Food poisoning spikes in Lebanon amid fuel crisis
Increased food poisoning and spoilage in Lebanon is the likely result of electricity shortages that in turn affect refrigeration and other aspects of the supply and distribution chains.
BEIRUT — Cases of food poisoning have been on the rise since the summer amidst Lebanon’s increased power outages. The true scale of the numbers has not been officially reported, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health.
“The problem is that we know there is a spike in food poisoning because all the factors associated with food poisoning are present. You have a lack of electricity that affects refrigeration, which affects the quality and safety of food,” Mohamad Abiad, associate professor of food processing and packaging at the American University of Beirut, told Al-Monitor. “The factors are there, but the reporting isn’t.”
