Food safety culture in food companies amid the Lebanese economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The challenges to food safety in Lebanon are many and have worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Lebanese economic crisis. Against a backdrop of loosely enforced food laws and regulations, a cross-sectional study was carried out in 23 Lebanese food companies on 204 participants using a validated online food safety culture self-assessment tool consisting of 28 indicators. Food safety motivation, burnout/job stress and conscientiousness and their impact on food safety culture were also investigated.

Facial involvement is reflective of patients' global perception of vitiligo extent.

Background: The involvement of visible areas in vitiligo has been found to be correlated with increased psychiatric morbidity. Although multiple tools have been developed to assess vitiligo, no cutoff for improvement or worsening of vitiligo from a patient's perspective has been established.

Objectives: To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Self-Assessment Vitiligo Extent Score (SA-VES) in patients with vitiligo and to evaluate, from the patient's perspective, the importance of the change in the involvement of visible areas (face and hands) in patients' overall perception of disease worsening or improving.

The compliance of nutrition claims on pita bread in Lebanon and risk on public health: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Mislabeling is a type of fraud, that can lead to major health concerns, especially when used on staple foods like bread. This study aimed to assess the compliance of nutrition claims on pre-packaged Pita bread in Mount Lebanon with national (LIBNOR; NL 661:2017) and international (CODEX; CAC/GL -2-1985) standards.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and Lebanese bread samples (n = 75) were collected from all the registered bakeries in Mount Lebanon directorate (n = 25).

Aflatoxin B1 in Rice: Effects of Storage Duration, Grain Type and Size, Production Site, and Season.

Abstract: Our study evaluated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels in packed rice marketed in Lebanon and determined the exposure to this toxin from rice consumption. A total of 105 packed white, parboiled, and brown rice bags were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure AFB1.

An Ecological Study Indicates the Importance of Ultraviolet A Protection in Sunscreens.

The use of sunscreens is recommended to limit the impact of sun exposure on the skin. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sunscreen sales and melanoma in 4 different countries with diverse sunscreen regulations. Data from publicly avail-able databases were examined for Sweden, England, Australia, and the USA from 1999 to 2018.

Evaluation of risk factors for insulin resistance: a cross sectional study among employees at a private university in Lebanon.

Background: Worldwide, the prevalence of insulin resistance ranges from 15.5 to 46.5%, among adults.

The relationship between hypovitaminosis D and metabolic syndrome: a cross sectional study among employees of a private university in Lebanon.

Background: The prevalence of low vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome is increasing globally and in Lebanon. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components (elevated triglycerides, low HDL, abdominal obesity defined by high waist circumference, hypertension, impaired fasting blood glucose) and investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and MetS and its components among a sample of Lebanese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on Notre Dame University employees.