Lebanon Allergen Disclosure for Restaurant Menus

## Allergen Labeling in Lebanon Lebanon's food allergen awareness is growing, particularly in Beirut's internationally-influenced dining scene: ### Current Status - No specific restaurant menu allergen law, but consumer protection principles apply - International hotel chains and upscale restaurants voluntarily disclose allergens - Growing awareness driven by tourism and diaspora influence ### Common Allergens in Lebanese Cuisine - **Nuts** — pine nuts in kibbeh, almonds in desserts, pistachios - **Sesame** — tahini is a staple, sesame seeds on bread - **Dairy** — labneh, halloumi, ayran - **Gluten** — bread is central to Lebanese dining (pita, markouk) - **Shellfish** — common in coastal cities ### Best Practices - Label allergens on the menu, especially nuts and sesame - Train staff about common allergen cross-contamination - Offer allergen-free alternatives where possible ## How Qaima Helps Qaima's allergen tagging is especially valuable for Lebanese restaurants where nuts and sesame are prevalent in many dishes.