Minister Yumaklı stated that they have undertaken important work in terms of citizens’ access to safe food and continued, “We increased our inspections in 2024. Approximately over 1.3 million food inspections were carried out. An administrative fine of 1.4 billion lira was imposed regarding these. We also file criminal complaints regarding foods that threaten public health. “In 2024, criminal complaints were filed for 610 files,” he said.
Yumaklı emphasized that all pre- and post-harvest processes, including the production site and sales points, are subject to on-site controlled pesticide inspection.
“250 THOUSAND PESTICIDE INSPECTIONS WERE MADE IN THE LAST 3 YEARS”
Minister Yumaklı said, “250 thousand pesticide inspections have been carried out in the last 3 years. As a result, the pesticide residue rate has been reduced by 35 percent in the last 3 years. “Our goal is to get it as close to zero as possible,” he said.
RETURN RATE FOR EXPORTED DRIED FRUITS
Regarding the return of dried fruits exported due to substances such as aflatoxin, ochratoxin and sulfur dioxin, apart from pesticides, Minister Yumaklı said, “20 out of 1,473 products were returned due to excess aflatoxin in pistachios. The rate for this is 1.35 percent. 81 of 5,600 shipments were returned due to excess aflatoxin-ochratoxin in dried figs. The rate is 1.43 percent. Due to excess sulfur dioxide in dried apricots, only 282 tons out of 21 thousand 3 tons were returned. “The rate is 1.34 percent,” he said.
A DISEASE SPECIFIC TO THE PLANT WAS FOUND IN THE RETURNED POTATOES
Regarding the return of 2.5 tons of potatoes exported to Tunisia to Turkey, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, “We came across some disinformation about the potato product exported to Tunisia. The potatoes exported to Tunisia were not contaminated with pesticides in any way.” “We will destroy these products, not because of residue, but because of a disease specific to the plant,” he said.
