Lebanese Market Research Articles

Fungal Isolation, Detection, and Quantification of Aflatoxins in Nuts Sold in the Lebanese Market

This study examines the prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in 160 nut samples, both shelled and unshelled (including pistachios, peanuts, and walnuts), from the Lebanese market, focusing on their fungal contamination and specific toxigenic strains. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), known for its potent carcinogenic and immunosuppressive properties, was detected in various samples. Moisture content analysis showed that unshelled nuts often exceeded maximum moisture limits more frequently than shelled nuts, with levels ranging from 1.9 to 9.5%. The predominant fungal genus identified through cultivation on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates was Aspergillus. In total, 55% of samples were contaminated with A. flavus and 45% with A. niger. All toxigenic strains isolated were identified as Aspergillus flavus. The aflatoxins, particularly AFB1, were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), revealing contamination in 43.8% of the samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 25 µg/kg. Some samples notably exceeded the established maximum tolerable limits (MTLs) for AFB1, set between 2 and 8 µg/kg. Shelled pistachios showed the highest contamination rate at 52% and were the most frequent to surpass the MTL of 8 µg/kg for pistachios, whereas walnuts displayed the lowest contamination levels, with only 15.4% exceeding the MTL for aflatoxins.

Assessment of mycotoxins in cornflakes marketed in Lebanon

Cornflakes are a popular and convenient breakfast cereal made from corn and widely consumed worldwide, including in Lebanon. However, they are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, which can have harmful effects on human health. Our study evaluated the occurrence of five mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, FUM, ZEA, DON) levels in packed cornflakes marketed in Lebanon. A market screening identified 35 different cornflake stock-keeping units (SKU) in the Lebanese market, originating from 10 different brands and having different tastes and shapes. SKUs were collected and tested for five mycotoxins in triplicates using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results showed the presence of the five mycotoxins in the samples. The average levels of AFB1, OTA, ZEA and FUM among positive samples (above limit of detection) were 1.58, 1.2, 15.1 and 774.1 μg/kg, respectively, and were below the EU limits. On the other hand, the average level of DON was 1206.7 μg/kg, exceeding the EU limit. Furthermore, out of the positive samples, 60%, 17%, 9%, 14%, and 6% exceeded the EU limits for DON, OTA, AFB1, FUM, and ZEA, respectively. Notably, SKUs made in Lebanon had significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of AFB1 and FUM. The packing size of the cornflakes had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the levels of the five mycotoxins detected in the samples. AFB1, FUM and ZEA levels differed significantly among SKUs (p > 0.05). Considering these findings, further studies should be conducted to assess the exposure to mycotoxins from the consumption of cornflakes in Lebanon, especially among children.

Phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities evaluation and relationship of commercial spices in the lebanese market

Lebanese cuisine is renowned for its distinctive flavours and vibrant aromas. In Lebanese cuisine, spices are not just used for their flavour; they are also valued for their medicinal properties. This study consists of evaluating and comparing the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity of 21 samples of spices used in the Lebanese daily diet, such as cinnamon, allspice, coriander, cloves, etc. and the mixtures prepared in well-defined proportions. Several solvents were tested for the extraction of the phenolic compounds from spices, and the water and ethanol (v/v) mixture were retained for this study. Results showed that clove presented the highest polyphenol content (173.7 ± 2.98 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/g Dry Matter (DM)) and the highest antioxidant capacity by ABTS test (4875.68 ± 480.40 µmol trolox / g DM). and DPPH test (85.84 ± 0.5%). The examination of the results showed a positive significant correlation between the polyphenol contents and the antioxidant activity of the spices. The antimicrobial activity tested by the broth microdilution method was determined against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Enteritidis. The results showed high antimicrobial activity manifested by low value of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (MIC < 2.4 µg/mL) for cinnamon, turmeric, white pepper, red pepper, allspice, clove and nutmeg. In conclusion, spices used in Lebanese cuisine, such as clove, cinnamon, allspice and spices, were rich in phenolic compounds and presented important potential health benefits.

Impact of Internal Control Systems on Minimizing Fraud: The Case of Lebanon

Establishing reliable internal control systems in Lebanon is a challenge for businesses looking to reduce their vulnerability to fraud. The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not internal control measures were successful in reducing fraud in Lebanon’s commercial sector. The study polls 308 businesses to learn more about control methods such as division of responsibilities, audit frequency, and ethics education. The results illuminate the present status of internal controls in Lebanon, illuminating the country’s successes and failures in its efforts to prevent fraud. With the information from this research, businesses may improve their fraud prevention tactics and safeguard their assets in the Lebanese market. Keywords: Internal Control, Monitoring, Controlling Activities, Controlling Environment, Information &amp; Communication

Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Tea Sold in Lebanon: Effects of Type, Packaging, and Origin.

Tea is among the oldest and most-known beverages around the world, and it has many flavors and types. Tea can be easily contaminated in any of its production steps, especially with mycotoxins that are produced particularly in humid and warm environments. This study aims to examine the level of ochratoxin A (OTA) and total aflatoxin (AF) contamination in black and green tea sold in Lebanon, evaluate its safety compared to international standards, and assess the effect of different variables on the levels of OTA and AFs. For this, the Lebanese market was screened and all tea brands (n = 37; 24 black and 13 green) were collected twice. The Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) method was used to determine OTA and AFs in the samples. AFs and OTA were detected in 28 (75.7%) and 31 (88.6%) samples, respectively. The average of AFs in the positive (above detection limit: 1.75 μg/kg) samples was 2.66 ± 0.15 μg/kg, while the average of OTA in the positive (above detection limit: 1.6 μg/kg) samples was 3.74 ± 0.72 μg/kg. The mean AFs in black and green tea were 2.65 ± 0.55 and 2.54 ± 0.40 μg/kg, respectively, while for OTA, the mean levels were 3.67 ± 0.96 and 3.46 ± 1.09 μg/kg in black and green tea samples, respectively. Four brands (10.8%) contained total aflatoxin levels above the EU limit (4 μg/kg). As for OTA, all samples had OTA levels below the Chinese limit (5 μg/kg). No significant association (p > 0.05) was found between OTA and tea type, level of packaging, country of origin, country of packing, and country of distribution. However, AF contamination was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in unpacked tea, and in brands where the country of origin, packing, and distributor was in Asia. The results showed that the tea brands in Lebanon are relatively safe in terms of AFs and OTA.

Assessing the Impact of Supply Chain Management Processes on the Lebanese Industry of Goods and Services During Times of Uncertainty

In general and through the three functions of Marketing, Operations and Finance, value for the customer is created. However, firms seldom create this value by themselves. Instead, they rely on a variety of suppliers who provide everything from raw materials to accounting. These suppliers when taken together can be thought of a supply chain. Being so diversified, the Lebanese firms have a huge challenge in setting an efficient supply chain process, thus, the firms and through their professional teams were able to set a detailed list of requirements to be followed to consolidate its data and to manage properly the flow of merchandise from the source to the destination particularly during the current critical period of risk and uncertainty. This research will describe how it is done through a vast literature review. So, the purpose of the research is to provide insights into the importance of the supply chain strategy and ERP integration for the organizations. This will ensure a proper integration and will highlight the flow of information of the supply chain helping the group to minimize the inventory cost and being a competitive Advantage. Also, The Electronic Data interchange (EDI) will contribute to the replenishment during the season and the analysis done over the historical data identify the best/worst selling items per shop and define the forecasted order of the upcoming season. The optimization is highly recommended to maintain a sustainable workflow of the supply chain along to the forecasted expansion. To achieve our goal, a primary data via different interviews with experts in the field will be used because of the complicated data collection process. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with 13 questions each. Results found showed that the supply chain management (SCM) stability has been affected by the crisis yet businesses in the Lebanese market have been adopting several measures and coming up with various strategies to mitigate the negative consequences.

Occurrence and exposure to microplastics in salt for human consumption, present on the Lebanese market

Plastics are versatile and pervasive materials, useful in countless applications and industries. Nevertheless, their high disposal and environmental stability are raising concerns and microplastics are now considered emerging food contaminants by moving all the way up the food chain. High level of uncertainty remains regarding the risks derived from human dietary exposure to microplastics. The aims of the study were to assess the occurrence of microplastics in salt for human consumption found on the Lebanese market, to estimate the Lebanese dietary exposure to microplastics from salt intake, and to suggest techniques that would ensure reduction of these microparticles in this commodity. All salt brands (n = 16) for human consumption present on the Lebanese market were collected and analyzed on two separate dates (n = 27), between September 2019 and December 2020. The presence of different types of microplastics was determined using the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique. Results showed that 81.3% of the assessed brands (n = 16) and 55.6% of the total samples (n = 27) were contaminated with microplastics. Moreover, all (100%) samples and replicates were contaminated with either microplastics or other foreign matter. The packed and coarse sea salt were more likely to be contaminated than those sold in bulk or the fine salt. The types of microplastics identified included polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomers, polyester and polyethylene. Plasticized rubber, benzyl butyl phthalate and other plasticizers were also detected by the FTIR in addition to hair, ant, human skin among others. It is estimated that each Lebanese adult would be exposed to 2372 microplastic particles. Year −1 through salt intake. While the environmental impact of microplastics has received much attention, it is yet early to draw conclusions on the effect of long-term human exposure to dietary microplastics as more research and risk assessment are required. There is however, a pressing need to adopt novel techniques during salt production to minimize human exposure to these emerging contaminants. • More than half of salts available on the Lebanese market were contaminated with microplastics. • The occurrence of microplastic in packed and coarse salt was higher than in loose or fine samples. • Polyethylene was the most abundant microplastic. • The estimated dietary exposure to microplastic via consumption of salt was 2372 MP.capita −1 .year −1 . • Microplastics are emergent hazards which might pose a threat to food safety and human health.

Understanding Determinants of Electronic Cigarette and Heated Tobacco Product Use among Young Adults in Lebanon: Prevention and Policy Implications.

In line with the global trends, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) have found their way to the Lebanese market. The present study aims to explore the determinants of e-cigarette and HTP use among young adults in Lebanon. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants aged 18-30 residing in Lebanon, who were familiar with e-cigarettes products. Twenty-one consenting participants were interviewed via Zoom and the verbatim transcriptions were analyzed thematically. The outcome expectancy theory was used to categorize the results into determinants and deterrents of use. HTPs were viewed by participants as another mode of smoking. The results showed that most participants perceived e-cigarettes and HTPs to be healthier alternatives to cigarettes/waterpipes and to be used as smoking cessation tools. Both e-cigarettes and HTPs were found to be easily accessible in Lebanon; although, in the recent economic crisis, e-cigarettes have become unaffordable. More research is needed to investigate the motivations and behaviors of e-cigarette and HTP users if effective policies and regulations are to be developed and enforced. Furthermore, greater public health efforts need to be made to increase awareness of the harmful impacts of e-cigarettes and HTPs and to implement evidence-based cessation programs tailored to those modes of smoking.

Assessment of the Composition of Breastmilk Substitutes, Commercial Complementary Foods, and Commercial Snack Products Commonly Fed to Infant and Young Children in Lebanon: A Call to Action

(1) Background: Nutrition for optimum growth and physical development is acquired by adequate infant feeding practices. (2) Methods: One hundred seventeen different brands of infant formulas (n = 41) and baby food products (n = 76) were selected from the Lebanese market and were analyzed for their nutritional content. (3) Results: Saturated fatty acid content was detected to be the highest in follow-up formulas (79.85 g/100 g) and milky cereals (75.38 g/100 g). Among all saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid (C16:0) accounted for the greatest proportion. Moreover, glucose and sucrose were the predominant added sugars in infant formulas, while sucrose was the main added sugar in baby food products. Our data showed that the majority of the products were non-compliant to the regulations and the manufacturers' nutrition facts labels. Our results stated also that the contribution to the daily value for the saturated fatty acids, added sugars, and protein exceeded the daily recommended intake for most infant formulas and baby food products. (4) Conclusions: This requires careful evaluation from policymakers in order to improve the infant and young children feeding practices.

A resource-based view of social entrepreneurship: how the human capital influences the job creation in the Lebanese market

A resource-based view of social entrepreneurship: how the human capital influences the job creation in the Lebanese market

Lebanese Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Industry: Investing in the Pharmaceutical Industry to Promote Exports

Compared to importation, the pharmaceutical production in Lebanon is still weak. The generics prescription is neglected according to the medicines of origin as only big brands dominate the Lebanese market. Despite the agreements between Lebanon and other Arab countries, the nature of the regulatory environment in the latter is likely to be a substantial obstacle that prevents the access of the Lebanese medicines to the markets of the Arab countries. On the other hand, the development of a new market access remains a necessity for increasing the volume of pharmaceutical exports. This paper aims to demonstrate, based on the Lebanese market analysis the significance of supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing since it contributes as a primary factor in reducing the cost of the medical bill for citizens, public institutions, and payers. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector as well as to stimulate and develop the local production of pharmaceutical medications.

Management Of Best Practices in Multinational Companies: Starbuck’s Best Practices in The Lebanese Market

This paper investigates how a Multinational Corporation (MNC), Starbucks in this case, adopts best practices to produce optimal results in the Lebanese market mentioning the difficulties and factors that influence the application of best practices. The ability of a MNC to effectively adapt a best practice to a host environment depends on the style of management of the company. After a face-to-face interview with the District Area Manager of the Starbucks Mena region and plenty of information gathered from the company's website and documents, Starbucks Lebanon adopts a combination of two different management styles introduced by Professor Howards: Polycentric and ethnocentric approaches.

Microbiological and chemical evaluation of dairy products commercialized in the Lebanese market.

Cheese is considered an essential component of the Lebanese table, however, several foodborne illnesses have been reported due to cheese consumption. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality and the occurrence of antibiotic and pesticide residues in two traditional Lebanese cheeses, Akkawi and Baladiyeh. In addition, drug resistance of isolated pathogens from the cheese samples was evaluated. Fifty Akkawi and Baladiyeh cheese samples were obtained in duplicate from 37 different commercial brands in supermarkets and shops from various regions of Lebanon. Samples of different weights were either individually vacuum packed or soaked in brine unpacked where it was placed in plastic bag after being purchased. Samples were homogenized to determine antibiotic and pesticide residues using liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and microbiological evaluation was performed according to the International Organization for Standardization reference analytical methods. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of these isolates to antibiotics. Microbiologically, 17% of Akkawi and 14% of Baladiyeh samples were found to be non-conforming. The bacterial isolates (n = 29) were tested for their susceptibility to 11 different antibiotics commonly prescribed in the Lebanese community or used for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria and listeriosis. Each isolate was found to be resistant to at least three antibiotics. Liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy analysis showed the absence of pesticide residues in all samples. However, sulfamethazine antibiotic residue was found in 14% of the samples. The results suggest that the cheese samples tested could cause foodborne illnesses due to the detection of pathogenic bacteria and are a public health concern due to the presence of antibiotic residues and the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Heat resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., and Escherichia coli isolated from frequently consumed foods in the Lebanese market

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the heat resistance of isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., and Escherichia coli bacterial strains obtained from frequently consumed foods (chicken sandwiches, cheese, raw chicken, tahini, and raw meat) in Lebanon. The isolated bacterial strains were heat-treated at 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75°C. The colony-forming unit per gram (CFU.g−1) was recorded for each temperature every minute for 10 min. Survival curves were plotted, and D- and z-values were calculated and compared using a two-sample T-test. All bacterial strains exhibited total resistance to heat at 55°C. Their D60 ranged from 3.00 to 28.80 min, D65 from 0.47 to 1.78 min, D70 from 0.19 to 1.91 min, and D75 from 0.11 to 0.46 min. Their z-values ranged from 4.74 to 19.65°C. When comparing these results to previous years, the need for combined interventions, such as active packaging solution, seems necessary as S. aureus, Salmonella sp., and E. coli are continually developing resistance to thermal processing. This study highlights emerging concerns regarding the safety of certain food products in the market. These results suggest further revising of the associated processing conditions to ensure compliance with food safety standards and avoid foodborne disease outbreaks.

Microbiological safety of commercial canned and dry pet food products in Lebanon.

Estimating the microbiological quality of pet food is essential in providing healthy and safe foods to pets. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological safety of pet food marketed in Lebanon, namely cat and dog products. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been conducted in Lebanon nor the Middle East region with reference to pet food quality. Lebanese market was screened and a total of 165 dry and canned pet food products were identified, collected and analyzed for their load of total aerobic microbial count, Enterobacteriaceae species, yeasts and molds, and for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria species. Dry pet food products had higher contamination level compared to canned ones. In terms of non-conformity to the European commission regulations, out of the 165 brands, 11 (7%) had a total aerobic microbial count above 106 cfu/g, and 27 (16%) exceeded 3 × 102 cfu/g as a maximum limit of presumptive Enterobacteriaceae. Among the dry brands, 8 out of 66 (12%) had a contamination level of yeasts and molds above 104 cfu/g. Presumptive Salmonella spp. was detected in 68 (41%) and presumptive Listeria spp. in 106 (64%) of brands. These alarming results necessitates setting and monitoring microbiological standards for pet food in Lebanon. This study contributes as well to the building of a database for knowledge development regarding the potential contamination of pet food by the abovementioned microorganisms.

Pediatric Health Risk Assessment for Exposure to Aluminum from Infant Formulas and Children under the Age of Five's Food Products among Arab Infants: Experience from Lebanon.

Chronic dietary aluminum (Al) exposure can have various negative effects on health. The aim of our study is to (1) assess the contamination level of Al in infant formulas (n = 41) and baby food products (n = 76) available in the Lebanese market, and to (2) evaluate the margin of exposure of Al through the consumption of these foods among children under the age of five in Lebanon. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used to evaluate all of the samples. Al levels in all tested children’s food items were below the limit of detection. The highest Al level was detected in cornflakes (0.361 ± 0.049 mg/kg) and pureed foods (0.362 ± 0.079 mg/kg). Among infants aged 0–23 months, the average Al exposure due to the daily intake of infant formulas and baby foods was 0.01 and 0.0104 mg/kg BW/day for males and females, respectively. Babies aged 8–10 and 3–5 months had the highest and lowest levels of Al exposure, respectively. Additionally, the toxicological contribution of Al exposure determined for several age groups to a provisional tolerated weekly intake (PTWI) set by JECFA was <6% and <7% for males and females, respectively. The total Al exposure through the consumption of infant formulas and complementary foods among all ages in both males and females was below the values of weekly tolerable intakes (2 mg/kg/BW/W) set by JECFA. However, the values of hazard quotient (HQ) exceeded 1 in both male and female Lebanese infants. As a result, the risk of infants being exposed to Al in baby foods needs to be continuously considered.

Strategic assessment of factors that create a resistance to change during the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The case of Lebanese organizations

Resistance to change can be found in all organizations, but it is almost always an essential measure to be considered and analyzed in detail, so it will be relevant to demonstrate what are the main causes to resist the change during the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in order to avoid it and find optimal solutions for it. We will be comparing our study to several previous studies that have been conducted in different countries such as Yemen and Malaysia. Our study roughly employs the same factors utilized in these previous studies. Our objective will also be to determine whether or not the results are similar to that in Lebanon. For our research, and in order to answer our research questions and test our hypothesis, we will use the following strategies and methodologies: quantitative, deductive, positivist, and using a survey of 100 respondents. This study will aid us in determining the main causes of user resistance to change which are lack of education and training. As a result, this will lead to an increase in usability issues, therefore pushing the users to double their efforts to control the system, and lowering their expectations towards the newly implemented ERP system. This research study was undertaken in Lebanon in approximately 10 different companies that have been using the same software. The ERP providers are limited in the Lebanese market and can be bilateral. The results in deducing that the problem might be originated from the provider’s side and the trainers who failed to transfer the information properly to users. Communication will be a key factor in ensuring employee satisfaction while using the newly implemented system. In addition, communication between manager and employees/trainers needs to be maintained. The communication between the management, workforce, provider and management, trainers and management, trainer and employees, are of an essential importance and can reduce the intensity of difficulties, complications and the resistance to change leading to reduction in costs and an increase in performance.

Fallen into the Chasm: Exploring Mobile Payment Failed Initiative in Lebanon

Several years after introducing the mobile payment service to the Lebanese market, it is clear that the new payment method has failed to take off, which brings up questions about the reasons behind these unmet expectations. The current paper uses the Technology-Organization-Environment framework to explore the factors with respect to its three pillars that could have prevented the diffusion of mobile payment into the market. Using a qualitative approach of multiple case studies, the findings suggest that the reasons for the low diffusion of mobile banking lies as much in the incompatible nor open technology as in the highly competitive organizational structure of the banking industry and, finally, the merchants’ and consumers’ unwillingness to adopt it.

Trends and amounts of consumption of low-calorie sweeteners: A cross-sectional study.

White sugar has been blamed to cause health consequences including diabetes and obesity. With the increased need to decrease sugar intake, attention was shifted towards sugar alternatives also known as low-calorie sweeteners. Low-calorie sweeteners are ubiquitous within food products, but their consumption among Lebanese adults isn't well elucidated. Our study aims to investigate the trends and amounts of low-calorie sweeteners' consumption in addition to their main sources among a sample of Lebanese adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted over 384 adult Lebanese individuals from both genders residing in Beirut and Mount-Lebanon from February to August 2020. After excluding eight individuals, 376 completed the survey. To assess the trends, frequency and quantity of low-calorie sweeteners' consumption, a questionnaire was filled by trained and licensed dietitians in addition to a previously validated food frequency questionnaire adapted to the most widely known products in the Lebanese market. Food products were divided into categories, amount of sweeteners in each item was obtained from the label, and analysis was performed according to the type of sweetener they are made of. Frequencies were converted into numbers of servings per day and multiplied by the standard portion size. Daily individual consumption of each sweetener apart was obtained by multiplying the amount of sweetener in each item consumed by total daily consumption. The amount in mg/kg was obtained by dividing total consumption of each sweetener apart by the mean weight of our population. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data entry and analysis. Results showed that 94.4% were consuming an artificially-sweetened item at least once in the last six months. While weight loss and healthy lifestyle constituted the main reasons for past and current consumption respectively, safety and unpleasant taste affected consumption trends. Pills and powders' consumption was significantly associated with gender (p=0.032) and dieting (p=0.000) but not with age (p=0.831), educational level (p=0.294), living district (p=0.421) or income (p=0.828) where women and dieters used significantly more pills and powders than their counterparts. "Food and beverages" consumption was independent of all factors except age (p=0.001); it peaked at 26-40 and declined thereafter. Consumption of low-calorie sweeteners came mainly from beverages and was as follows while remaining within the acceptable daily intake limits: aspartame: 98.9mg/d (1.38mg/kg/d); sucralose: 22.19mg/d (0.31mg/kg/d); acesulfame-K: 39.12mg/d (0.55mg/kg/d); stevia 3.28mg/d (0.05mg/kg/d). Food and beverages were consumed more than pills and powders due to unintentional consumption. Despite that safety and unpleasant taste affected consumption of low-calorie sweetened products, intake of such products was found to be highly prevalent in the studied population. While remaining within the acceptable daily intake limits, consumption of food and beverages exceeded that of pills and powders due to unintentional consumption making awareness a necessity to help consumers make an informed decision. Moreover, a nation-level study is needed to generalize the results.

A resource-based view of social entrepreneurship: how the human capital influences the job creation in the Lebanese market

A resource-based view of social entrepreneurship: how the human capital influences the job creation in the Lebanese market