Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, has unveiled an innovative initiative in the fight against food fraud. To enhance consumer protection, fraudulent food product lists will now be shared electronically in real-time.
This new system, launched today, allows public access through the platform “guvenilirgida.tarimorman.gov.tr.”
463 different products identified
Following inspections, the ministry identified 56 products deemed hazardous to consumer health because of spoilage or alteration.
Additionally, the ministry publicly listed 463 products confirmed to be counterfeit or adulterated.
Violations include the use of single-hoofed animal meat, unauthorized vegetable oils and mixed poultry meat in various products. The list will be updated in real time.
It simply numbs the mind what food industry and restaurants have been serving people. Turkish sausages were made with donkey meat, spices with cancer-causing chemicals, cheese and yoghurt containing no diary. The list goes on and on, with the Ministry updating its list on a regular basis.
The scandal recently focused on numerous restaurants, using non-compliant meat products, with a major meatball chain, Kofteci Yusuf facing allegations of including pork in its offerings.
Meanwhile, it was alleged that Kofteci Yusuf acted before the ministry to prevent the disclosure of its name by taking the matter to court and obtaining a stay of execution regarding the publication of the adulteration list.
The chain and its owners were mobbed in social media, with the scandal becoming juicier, as an opposition paper printed a photo of AK Party heavyweights dining on allegedly pork-tainted meatballs.
On Friday, CEO and owner of the grill chain, Mr Yusuf Akkas broadcast a 35 minute video defending his restaurants. He denied allegations that he has friends in the AK Party administrations and pork was used in his famous meatballs. He said “Why would I use a meat product that is more expensive than lamb or beef?”
PA Turkey does not pass judgement in this scandal, but all editors are regulars at the Kofteci Yusuf, asking for pork special mixed grill plate.
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