Minister Yumaklı announces food inspection figures

Visiting the Ankara Food Control Laboratory Directorate to conduct inspections, Minister Yumaklı stated in his remarks that as a ministry, they are responsible for food, which is the most basic human need, and that they are as concerned with the reliability of products as they are with agricultural production.

Emphasizing that the processes related to analysis, one of the most fundamental aspects of food inspections, are carried out at the Ankara Food Control Laboratory Directorate, Yumaklı shared the information that this is one of 147 accredited laboratories in Turkey across both the public and private sectors.

Stating that the number of procedures performed at the directorate has increased from 3 different analyses 19 years ago to 262 today, Yumaklı explained that this laboratory has also recently begun providing services abroad. Underlining that the laboratory has distinguished itself from being merely an analysis laboratory with this infrastructure, Yumaklı said, "It is an analysis laboratory equipped to serve as a school for the training of ministry and private laboratory personnel, for R&D-oriented work, and to meet other needs of the sector."

"WE WILL NOT GIVE ANY LEEWAY TO THOSE WHO PLAY WITH THE HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE"

Pointing out that food inspections in Turkey continue 24/7, Yumaklı said that they have started and are continuing sectoral inspections.

Yumaklı stated that samples taken from inspections are analyzed and examined in 40 public accredited laboratories, noting that Turkey's capacity in both legislation and conducting accredited analyses has developed over the last 21 years.

Pointing to the importance of these laboratories in the fight against food fraud, Yumaklı assessed, "Our stance on food inspections is clear. We will not give any leeway to those who play with the health of our people. There is no tolerance for this. We have even placed laboratories that have been the subject of some complaints recently under investigation. Both public and private laboratories are currently subject to inspections."

SIMULTANEOUS INSPECTIONS IN 81 PROVINCES BEFORE THE NEW YEAR

Providing information about the inspections carried out this year on food and other product sales outlets, Yumaklı noted the following:

"In these inspections, approximately 1 million 300 thousand checks were carried out. 17 thousand 652 non-compliances were detected. Administrative fines totaling approximately 535 million liras were issued for these. We have also filed criminal complaints with prosecutors against 243 businesses. Today, we are starting simultaneous inspections again. We will enter a new year on Sunday. Therefore, starting from today, a simultaneous inspection will be launched in all 81 of our provinces at food sales outlets and production facilities where our people shop frequently. This inspection will continue for one week."

Underlining that they are making an intense effort as a Ministry to ensure that the public has access to reliable food, Yumaklı stated that this effort is showing results, and that there is a visible decrease in the number of cases or results, especially in the recent period.

Stating that citizens are also "food inspectors," Yumaklı requested that any observed non-compliance be reported to them through the communication channels they have published.