Ministry Continues Sampling Lahmacun, Pita, and Pastry – Last Minute Turkey Update
Ministry Clarifies Sampling Protocol for Food Products
The Ministry released a written statement addressing concerns raised by certain press and broadcasting organizations regarding changes in the sampling and analysis process for food products such as pide, pastry, and lahmacun. The Ministry emphasized that news reports suggesting that samples will no longer be taken from these products are misleading.
According to the Ministry’s annual sampling inspection program, samples were previously collected from both the raw ingredients and the final products in establishments with high-volume consumption. However, the statement highlights the potential for false evaluations when samples are taken from unfinished food items like pita, pastry, and lahmacun, which can be further enhanced with various components like vegetables, red meat, poultry, and fish.
The Ministry underlines that these food items fall under the broader category of food products, rather than being solely classified as meat products. Vegetables, fruits, red meat, poultry, fish, and other components can be added to these products based on consumer preferences. Therefore, evaluating unfinished food items during the preparation stage can lead to inaccurate assessments.
The stated instruction aims to maintain controls focused on identifying ingredients such as single hooves and pork (excluding poultry meat) in the mortar of pita bread, lahmacun, and pastry. Additionally, all controls, including inspections for single hooves and pork, will continue to be carried out in the final product.
The Ministry stresses the importance of notifying control officers about the components used in all foodstuffs served to consumers in high-volume establishments. Furthermore, consumers have the right to request information regarding the ingredients. The statement reassures the public that the Ministry is dedicated to protecting consumer health and that all necessary controls will proceed uninterrupted.
