Ministry Cracks Down on Large-Scale Food Fraud Operation
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A significant food safety breach has been uncovered in İzmir, where authorities seized nearly 30 tons of expired and improperly stored food products, according to a statement from Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı. The discovery was made after teams initiated an inspection following a report submitted to the “Alo 174 Food Hotline,” a system dedicated to receiving consumer complaints about food safety.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fraudulent attempts to reintroduce expired products into the market, an illegal practice that jeopardizes public health and undermines consumer trust. The Ministry’s latest action underscores its intent to pursue such violations with strict measures and continuous monitoring.
Minister Yumaklı Announces Operation via Social Media
Minister İbrahim Yumaklı shared details of the operation on social media, describing the scale and nature of the violation. According to his statement, the seized items were found stored in unsanitary conditions, and inspections revealed that the expiration dates had been erased or altered in an attempt to disguise the products as safe for sale.
He emphasized the seriousness of the situation with the following message:
“Our teams did not allow food fraudsters, who buy expired products cheaply and try to put them back on the market, to get away! Nearly 30 tons of food stored in unhealthy conditions and past their expiration date have been seized in İzmir.”
This announcement immediately drew widespread public attention, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and rapid response in matters of food safety.
Inspectors Uncover Attempts to Reprint Expiration Dates
When teams from the Provincial and District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry arrived at the location, they found extensive evidence of deliberate tampering. During their inspection, officials discovered that the STT/TETT (expiration date) information had been removed and was being reprinted, an apparent attempt to disguise expired goods as fresh.
Business Sealed and Legal Action Initiated
Under Turkish food safety laws, any attempt to alter expiration dates or store food in conditions that threaten public health is considered a serious offense. Following the discovery, the business involved was immediately shut down. Products deemed unsafe were secured for destruction under official supervision, ensuring that none of the contaminated or expired goods could re-enter the commercial distribution chain.
By initiating legal proceedings, the Ministry aims to deter similar violations. Such prosecutions carry penalties ranging from substantial fines to possible imprisonment, depending on the scale and public health risk involved.
Ministry Emphasizes Ongoing Commitment to Safe Food Access
Minister Yumaklı underlined that this operation is part of a broader, ongoing effort to protect consumers. He reaffirmed that the Ministry, along with local authorities and partnering institutions, will continue to take decisive action against any entity that threatens food integrity, safety, or traceability.
Public Calls to Use the “Alo 174 Food Hotline”
The incident also serves as a reminder of the critical role citizens play in maintaining food safety standards. Authorities encourage the public to report suspicious practices through the ‘Alo 174’ hotline, which has proven to be a vital channel for identifying fraudulent activities before they can reach consumers.
With nearly 30 tons of compromised food now removed from circulation, the İzmir operation stands as one of the more significant enforcement actions of recent months and underscores the importance of continued vigilance.