Pesticide Residues Found in Fruits and Vegetables in Northern Cyprus

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has released the results of weekly food safety inspections conducted from February 27 to March 5.

During the monitoring process, samples of imported and local produce were sent to the State Laboratory, where they were tested for pesticide content in accordance with European Union standards.

Out of 29 imported product samples, 28 were found to be clean. However, a batch of "Deveci" pears belonging to SVS Tic. Limited was found to exceed the permitted levels of plant protection products. The goods were destroyed at the company's request.

Among 22 local product samples, 17 met the safety standards. In cucumbers grown by Famagusta farmer Bekir Jura, the use of an unauthorized plant protection product was detected, leading to the destruction of the produce.

Additionally, pesticide levels exceeding the limits were found in sweet peppers and eggplants belonging to Mustafa Coşkun from Famagusta, as well as in peppers grown by Hüseyin Çalıcıoğlu from the village of Kuzucuk. In these cases, harvesting has been suspended pending repeat laboratory analysis.

Excessive pesticides were also detected in strawberries grown by farmer Yonca Aksoy from the village of Yıldırım. This produce will be destroyed at the producer's request.