TRNC Agriculture Department tested 55 samples in a week: violations found in three local products

The TRNC Agriculture Department tested 55 food samples from 21 to 27 August: all 42 imported-product samples were found to be compliant, while plant protection products were detected in three samples of locally grown vegetables — in two cases, products not recommended for use, and in one, a residue level exceeding the permissible limit.

The inspections are carried out by the Agriculture Department under the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, while the samples are analysed at the State Laboratory. The results are assessed against the maximum residue levels in force in the European Union.

Ten of the 13 local-product samples were found to be compliant. In tomatoes of two varieties produced by Hilat Aydınç of Bostancı, a plant protection product not recommended for use was detected, and the batches were ordered to be destroyed.

At the farm of Hasan Alyakut in Yeşilyurt, the permissible residue level was exceeded in Charlie peppers. Harvesting at the farm has been suspended until the next laboratory analysis.

The department publishes the results of such inspections every week. When products contain substances not recommended for use, they are destroyed; when the maximum residue level is exceeded, harvesting is halted until a new analysis is carried out.