Trade Ministry: The Claim That Pistachios Were Rejected Due to "Aflatoxin" is Completely False
The Ministry of Trade has denied the claim that "pistachios have been returned from the European Union due to 'aflatoxins', or mold," stating that a report published in Sözcü newspaper under the headline "Has an auction been opened at customs for the pistachios returned by the EU?" is completely unfounded and aims to mislead the public.
The statement from the Ministry included the following: "The product referred to as shelled pistachios in the relevant newspaper is not an exported product to the European Union market. Therefore, the allegation that this product has been returned to our country by the European Union does not reflect the truth.
The product imported from the United States by a company operating in the Mersin Free Zone has become subject to liquidation due to the failure to complete the necessary official procedures in a timely manner. Before the product was offered for sale, a letter dated November 29, 2024, was sent to the Mersin Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to request analysis of whether the consumption of the product is suitable for human health. According to the results of the analysis report prepared on December 9, 2024, as part of inter-ministerial coordination efforts, it was reported that consumption of the product is suitable for human health. Following the conformity report, the products in question were promptly offered for sale as they fall under the category of products that should not be delayed.
The Ministry of Trade, which has a strict and robust supervision mechanism both in the domestic market and at customs, continues to work in coordination with relevant institutions and organizations to establish a transparent and rule-compliant process, and is resolutely implementing steps to protect the health and fundamental rights of our citizens.
We present to the public the false news prepared by Sözcü newspaper for disinformation purposes, which aims to mislead our citizens through misinformation."