With the tragic incident, the danger of chemical drugs was revealed again. Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Food Engineers Istanbul Branch 2nd President Aydan Dalbastı and Food Safety Association President Samim Saner talked about what needs to be done as producers, consumers and the government against the danger we face.
The Çakır family, residing in the Yeşilhisar district of Kayseri, ate pomegranate after dinner on October 30, 2019. While the family members who consumed the fruit in question became ill a short time later, the family of six went to Yeşilhisar State Hospital with complaints of abdominal pain and dizziness. As a result of the examinations made at the hospital, it was determined that the family was exposed to food poisoning, while the little member of the family, 4-year-old Saliha Çakır, was taken to Kayseri City Hospital after her condition deteriorated. Saliha, whose heart stopped twice on the way, passed away.
An investigation has been launched by the prosecutor's office regarding the death of the little girl. Within the scope of the investigation, samples were taken from the pomegranates that the family ate, and these samples were examined by the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institute. As a result of the examinations carried out in Ankara, it was determined that the cause of death of little Saliha was the pesticide that was sprayed on the pomegranate she ate.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PREVENT IT IF THE MEDICINE HAS REACHED INTO THE PRODUCT"
Aydan Dalbastı, the 2nd President of the TMMOB Chamber of Food Engineers, Istanbul Branch, said that although the use of pesticides in agricultural products is necessary, this use must be carried out correctly and consciously. Dalbastı noted that if the harvest is before the deadline and the pesticides are not used in the right amount, residues may remain in the vegetables and fruits.
"The drug remaining on the product can be removed, but if the drug has penetrated into the product, it is not possible to prevent it. In order to remove the residues on the product, vegetables and fruits should be kept in water for fifteen to twenty minutes. Products should be cleaned by rubbing. We also recommend the use of baking soda," Dalbastı said.
“GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE MUST BE IMPLEMENTED”
Samim Saner, President of the Food Safety Association, made special statements to our newspaper. Noting that the biggest role in the correct spraying of agricultural products falls on the producer, Saner emphasized that negative situations may occur in case of misuse of pesticides. Saner, regarding the subject, "Care should be taken when using pesticides. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) should be applied. The right drug, the right amount and the right time criteria are very important for the right product. In this case, there will be no negative situation. Chemical drugs cannot be detected by sight or smell. Be careful and buy products from trusted places. Received items should be thoroughly washed," he said.