A producer from Alanya, Mustafa Ezici, has won his fight! The Ministry approved new regulations on "pesticides"

Tropical fruit producer and entrepreneur Mustafa Ezici, who called on government authorities to take urgent measures regarding the harmful health effects of excessive and improper use of pesticides, has been heard by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Ministry updated the maximum residue limits for pesticides.

The "Regulation on Amendments to the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides" was published in the duplicate issue of the Official Gazette and came into force.

According to the Ministry, the changes updated the maximum residue limits applied in official inspections of domestically produced and imported foods. Current national and international scientific evaluations were considered for products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, tea, herbal infusions, and animal products.

For some foods, residue limits were set for the first time, while for many others, the limits were reduced. This ensured compliance with European Union (EU) practices. Significant changes were also made to the maximum residue limits for imported foods, based on EU regulations. Imported foods will now be inspected for compliance with the new residue limits before being allowed into the country.

Raising Awareness

In a special interview with Yeni Alanya, Mustafa Ezici said:

"The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry taking action after we brought up the issue of pesticides is a significant step for the safety of agricultural products. Pesticides are chemical substances used to combat harmful organisms in agriculture, but their excessive or improper use can have severe negative effects on human health and the environment."

Ezici added:

"High pesticide residues in food products can lead to health problems such as cancer, hormonal disorders, and nervous system issues. Products exported to EU countries, which have strict criteria, were often returned due to pesticide residues, causing both economic and reputational losses. By bringing this issue to light, we have raised awareness about the risks of pesticides, and I believe we have encouraged producers to be more cautious."

Boosting Reputation

Commenting on the changes announced by the Ministry, Ezici said:

"It has been decided to implement EU-aligned pesticide residue limits for agricultural products in Turkey. This will facilitate the acceptance of export products and ensure safer food for the local population. Returned agricultural products will no longer be sold on the domestic market but will be destroyed, an important decision for public health. Pesticide residues in products will be regularly monitored, and stricter measures will be enforced. These changes will yield positive outcomes for both producers and consumers, improving food quality and enhancing the international reputation of Turkey's agricultural products."

Ezici also mentioned that a meeting with ministry representatives would be held in Kumluca to address field-specific solutions. He highlighted that 70% of the samples he tested showed no issues, while the problematic 30% will be addressed with the new regulations and inspections.