He said several fisheries along the banks of Orontes River have been feeding chicken intestines to fish, which results in “grave damage to both fish and citizens, and to the restaurants spread along the river.” Abu Faour said Health Ministry inspectors received threats following raids on fish breeding facilities. “But such threats don’t work.” He pledged at a news conference to press ahead with his food safety crackdown, seven months after launching his anti-corruption campaign. The health minister said unlicensed infirmaries will be closed by the end of July, adding that a number of laboratories had been sealed. Abu Faour said all daycares operating illegally were also closed and said the majority of beauty centers had restored their status. He said salt processing facilities where tests showed salt was not fortified with iodine will be closed. “Inadequate intake of iodine can cause health problems,” he warned. The Daily Star
