Dangerous pesticides found in five types of products in the TRNC

The Department of Agriculture of Northern Cyprus has released the results of another round of food safety inspections. Laboratory tests for pesticide residues in five types of imported and locally produced goods found either levels exceeding the permitted limits or the use of plant protection products that are not recommended.

In total, specialists tested 47 agricultural product samples, 42 of which fully met the standards. Among imported goods, 22 samples were inspected, and violations were found in two of them: a shipment of apples from SVS Tic. Ltd. was found to contain pesticide levels above the limit (the produce was destroyed), while a shipment of cherries from the same company with a similar violation was sent back to the producer.

Of the 25 local product samples tested, 22 were found to be clean. Violations were recorded in three cases: on the farm of Shuayip Gezer in Gazimagusa, unapproved chemicals were found in tomatoes, and at Abuzer Canli's farm in Aydinkoy — in lettuce leaves (both shipments were completely destroyed). In nectarines produced by Mustafa Eser in Doganci, the level of approved chemicals exceeded the permitted threshold, which is why the harvest at this farm has been officially suspended for collection and sale until clean results are obtained from repeat tests.