Food expert says some suppliers put bleach in milk to prevent rapid spoiling

A Turkish professor involved in the food area has said some food businesses use many fraudulent methods in the production of several foods and this type of fraud that could cost lives should be punished very severely. The professor went on to say consumers should be very careful especially with foods such as honey, minced meat, olive oil, butter, meat and dairy products. He explained we should all try to prefer hygienic, reliable places and venues with good reputation.

It is observed that a new era in food production is about to begin in Turkey. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has pressed the button to take truly drastic measures as penalties applied to those imitating and idling food has not provided the desired result so far. According to the new regulation, those who produce products with fraudulent methods and put them on the market will be jailed and they will not be allowed to continue their businesses.

Those who continue fraudulent methods within two years following the first sentence, will be sentenced to jail and banned from activity. It is very clear that some tricks might seem innocent in everyday life but cheating in food is never acceptable.

The same professor said the state should no doubt take strict measures against this type of fraud that could even cost the life of the consumer to suffer such undesired situations and went on to say following:

“We need to be careful with foods such as honey, mince, meat, dairy products, olive oil and butter, in particular. Today, a kilo of quality honey for instance cannot be less than TL 50-70. However, by adding glucose and corn syrup to the honey, cheap honey is obtained and can be sold for up to TL 15-20. When you look at the product, you cannot tell it is impure. So, it would best to opt for branded honey with good reputation.

On the other hand there are also some companies that use margarine or cheap plain oil in butter. Then again, some put cheaper sunflower oil, palm or canola oil in olive oil to reduce the cost. As for meat, too much fat and/or offal may be added to the mince to reduce the quality and lower the price“.

Duration time of raw milk sold on the street may have been extended by adding iodine, even bleach. A lot of cheddar cheese is picked at the market near the expiration date and made into melted cheese. Some people make cheese out of cow’s milk and try to sell it as sheep or buffalo cheese.”

Unfortunately, some manufacturers who have no conscience and have an eye for money do these things. In order to deter them from doing so, the state must ban or if necessary, impose prison sentences when warnings are useless, and not turn such sentences into fines.