The short answer
Lebanon exports tahini, halva, za’atar, pickles, mezze in jars, sweets and wine to the U.S. — largely to the Lebanese diaspora. Sesame products and jarred foods are where most FDA problems arise.
What Lebanese exporters should watch for
🥣 Tahini and halva
Sesame products appear on the Red List of FDA’s Salmonella import alert (99-19). Control roasting and grinding, test every lot, and declare sesame as a U.S. major allergen.
🌿 Za’atar and spices
Spice blends are tested for Salmonella, filth and illegal colors. Za’atar contains sesame, which must be declared.
🫙 Pickles and mezze in jars
Pickled vegetables, stuffed vine leaves and other jarred foods are often acidified or low-acid foods needing FCE registration and SID process filings before shipping.
🍷 Wine and arak
Wineries and distilleries register with FDA as food facilities and file Prior Notice; labels and permits go through TTB.
Common reasons Lebanese shipments are stopped
- Salmonella in tahini, halva and sesame products
- Undeclared sesame on labels
- Jarred and pickled foods without FCE/SID
- Illegal colors in spices and sweets
- Labeling — Arabic-only text, no Nutrition Facts
🏢 No U.S. company to act as FSVP importer? Orionex offers an FSVP importer service for food and dietary supplements — from $80 per shipment, with the program and Qualified Individual included.
What you need to register — and what it costs
| Product type | FDA requirement | Orionex price |
|---|---|---|
| Food, beverages, supplements | Food facility registration + U.S. Agent, renewed every 2 years; Prior Notice for each shipment | $300/year or $450 for 2 years |
| Cosmetics | MoCRA facility registration (every 2 years) + product listing + U.S. Agent | $300/year or $450 for 2 years; listing $150/product |
| Medical devices | Establishment registration (yearly, FDA fee paid separately) + device listing; 510(k) for many Class II devices | $550/year; listing $50/device |
| Drugs (incl. OTC) | Drug establishment registration (yearly) + NDC labeler code + drug listing | $550/year; listing $350/product |
Every Orionex registration includes the U.S. Agent service, D-U-N-S number set-up where needed and a Certificate of Registration. All prices →
Tell us your products — we’ll confirm what you need to register, in writing, by email.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lebanese tahini detained by FDA?
Mostly for Salmonella. Tahini and sesame firms with positive results are on the Red List of Import Alert 99-19, so their shipments are held until tested clean. Controlled roasting, clean grinding and testing each lot are the best protection.
Do Lebanese pickles need FCE and SID?
Usually, yes. Pickled vegetables in sealed jars are typically acidified foods, so the plant needs FCE registration and an SID filing for each product before shipping, in addition to food facility registration.
Sources
- FDA Import Alert 99-19 — Salmonella (notes separate alerts for black pepper from India and Brazil)
- FDA — Acidified & Low-Acid Canned Foods (LACF) registration
- TTB — Public Law 107-188 (Bioterrorism Act) and FDA registration for alcohol beverage facilities
Checked against FDA and other official sources on November 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.