The tests for the time being are being carried out at the National Food Reference Laboratory which operates under the Veterinary Department.
The Minister of Health Faiz Sucuoğlu and the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Nazım Çavuşoğlu held inspections at the lab yesterday.
Speaking during the visit the Minister of Health Faiz Sucuoğlu said that preparations had been carried out at the National Food Reference Laboratory for over a month after a fire destroyed the state laboratory.
He said that tests on fruits and vegetables had begun and that water and chemical analysis would begin in the days ahead.
Pointing out that only tests regarding illegal drugs were not being conducted currently, Sucuoğlu said that the Council of Ministers will find a solution to this problem.
The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Nazım Çavuşoğlu for his part pointed out that it would take months for the state laboratory to become functional again.
“This is why we had to do something and we did. We have requested that an accredited analysis laboratory carries out tests on all food produce imported from Turkey. As a result all produce that is being imported is currently being tested and we have solved that problem. As for locally produced food, we have raised the awareness of producers through education seminars. We worked hard to ensure that the public was not harmed during this process,” he said.
BRT