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    Remaining Shelf Life for Imported Food Products - Lebanon
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    Remaining Shelf Life for Imported Food Products - Lebanon

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    Remaining Shelf Life for Imported Food Products
    Lebanon

    The below version control table serves to document all updates made to the report. The purpose is to ensure the information is always accurate and up-to-date.

    Version Number
    Content Creation Date
    		Publishing DateSection(s) Updated & Reason(s) for Update
    V0
    26 Oct 2023
    		30 Oct 2024N/A (new report)
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    1. Minimum shelf life remaining when food products arrive in the destination country 

    In Lebanon the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture are the responsible authorities for shelf lives of food products.

    According to Article 1 of Resolution 1/58 imposing restriction on certain imported food products [1], products are not allowed to enter the Lebanese market if their shelf lives have less than two months left.

    Translation:

    Article 1

    It is prohibited to enter food products into Lebanon that expire for consumption in less than 2 months.

    However, exceptions apply: 

    • Perishable products with short shelf lives can enter the Lebanese market if they do not exceed half the time, ex: burger buns with 3 months of shelf life are allowed to enter the market if they still have one month and a half left.
    • Water, juices, and drinks must have a minimum of 4 months left of shelf life in order to enter the Lebanese market.

    Translation:

    Article 1

    It is prohibited to bring into Lebanon imported bottled drinking water and beverages whose suitability for human consumption expires in less than four months.

    2. Minimum shelf life remaining of food products sold in the country 

    There are no legal requirements regarding the minimum shelf life remaining for food sold in the country.  

    In line with the Food Safety law [3], importers and producers are responsible for guaranteeing that the product is safe to be consumed within the time mentioned on the label. They are also responsible for their stock in the market.

    3. If nothing is specified in legislation, are there food industry guidelines/best practices? 

    No relevant industry guidelines are available.

    Conclusion
      1. In Lebanon, food products imported into Lebanon should have a minimum shelf life of 2 months.  
      2. Exceptions to this rule apply:
        1. Perishable products with short shelf lives can enter the Lebanese market if they do not exceed half their shelf life.
        2. Water, juices, and drinks must have a minimum of 4 months left of shelf life in order to enter the Lebanese market. 
      3. There are no legal requirements regarding the minimum shelf life remaining for food sold in the country. Importers and producers are responsible for guaranteeing that the product is safe to be consumed within the time mentioned on the label. They are also responsible for their stock in the market.

    4. References

    1. Ministerial Decision 58/1 from Ministry of Agriculture (1988) related to imported food products shelf life

    Please contact our dedicated team at RegASK for the full report.


    2. Ministerial Decision 466/1 from Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (1964) revised in 1994 imposing some restrictions on drinking water and packaged beverages imported into Lebanon

    Please contact our dedicated team at RegASK for the full report.


    3. Decree 35: Food safety law

    https://regulations.agriculture.gov.lb/legislation/7 


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