Strict measures in Istanbul following the Böcek family tragedy: 24-hour camera requirement for all businesses

The investigation continues regarding the Böcek family, who lost their lives after being poisoned at the hotel where they were staying in Fatih, Istanbul.

A FAMILY WIPED OUT

With the death of the father, Servet Böcek, the last surviving member of the family, no one from the four-member family who had arrived from Germany survived.

4 PEOPLE ARRESTED

Mussel seller Y.D., Turkish delight seller F.T., kokoreç seller E.E., and cafe operator F.M.O., who were detained during the investigation, have been arrested.

'FOOD SAFETY' MEETING IN ISTANBUL

While Turkey continues to discuss the 'poisoning' tragedy, measures to be implemented for citizens' access to healthy food and the protection of public health were discussed in Istanbul.

At the Food Safety Meeting held under the chairmanship of Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, the efforts, measures taken, and inspections regarding food safety in Istanbul were evaluated.

The meeting at the Istanbul Governorate Lale Hall was attended by Deputy Governors Hasan Gözen, Cengiz Karabulut, and Dr. M. H. Nail Anlar, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Deputy Secretary General Remzi Albayrak, President of the Council of Forensic Medicine Dr. Hızır Aslıyürek, university representatives, district mayors and deputy mayors, provincial directors, representatives of professional chambers, expert academics in the field of food engineering, and representatives of relevant institutions.

GOVERNOR DAVUT GÜL: “ZERO TOLERANCE ON FOOD”

In his assessment at the meeting, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated, “We are here to prevent the food poisoning issue that has occurred in our province in recent days. Unfortunately, 4 of our citizens lost their lives. I wish God's mercy upon our deceased citizens. This committee has gathered today to ensure this does not happen again. In 2025, 196 thousand inspections were carried out by the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry within 10 months. We see that inspections are being carried out as much as possible in the field. The training of personnel, the training of business owners, and the sensitivity of our citizens form the basis of this work. When we say security, we do not just mean the field of public order. Health and food safety are also included in this area. What we need to do is to implement the existing legislation without interruption. In short, our tolerance is zero in areas that concern our citizens, both in food and other areas. It is our duty to provide areas where our citizens can eat, drink, and stay with peace of mind in the field of healthy food and accommodation. I would like to thank my colleagues who contributed to the inspections, especially the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.”

Governor Gül also added at the meeting that citizens can access information about when the business they are in was last inspected by food teams by using the QR code application in businesses.

NEW DECISIONS ON FOOD SAFETY

The following decisions were taken at the meeting:

Inspections of street vendors and business owners in Istanbul will be increased.

The requirement for businesses selling food to “preserve samples sold for 72 hours” will be strictly enforced.

Local governments and inspection teams will absolutely not tolerate disruptions in the cold chain that must be present in businesses that produce and sell food.

Food inspection commissions will be established throughout the province, and food inspections will be carried out on a 24-hour basis.

Business owners and employees will be subject to food safety and hygiene training. Administrative sanctions will be applied to businesses that do not comply with the standards.

A requirement has been introduced for all businesses to make continuous 24-hour audio and video recordings and to keep all records for a period of 30 days.

Companies providing pest control services will be subject to inspection, and administrative and judicial proceedings will be initiated against those found not to comply with the standards.

In addition to administrative proceedings, criminal complaints will be filed with the prosecutor's offices against businesses found to be selling spoiled or expired products during inspections.

On the other hand, the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in 2025;

196,504 inspections were carried out on 135,778 food businesses.

Penalties were applied to 8,199 businesses.

506,457,754 TL in administrative fines were issued.

Criminal complaints were filed with the prosecutor's office regarding 79 businesses.

237 businesses were banned from operating.

6,745 samples were taken.