Local hazelnut spread found to contain GMOs

ISTANBUL

The Agriculture Ministry has discovered that various firms producing hazelnut spread have been using genetically modified soya in place of real hazelnuts. Hürriyet photo

The Agriculture Ministry has discovered genetically modified organisms (GMO) in certain brands of Turkish hazelnut spread. This discovery comes on the heels of the ministry finding poultry, horse and donkey meat in Turkish sausages and beef products.

The ministry, which had previously discovered similar schemes in honey, cheese and sausages, has now turned its attention to other food products. Samples of locally produced hazelnut spread were found to contain genetically modified soya in place of hazelnuts. The ministry has demanded that these products, which were found in various regions throughout Turkey, be confiscated, according to daily Zaman. Letters have been sent by the ministry to the firms in question and the regional headquarters.

The firms under investigation were found to have production facilities in the provinces of Samsun, Kayseri, Konya and Bingöl. Agriculture engineers have warned this is a serious matter and that children are the main consumers of these products. According to Zaman, GMOs have been linked to cancer and can lead to allergies and rheumatism later in life.

The following firms were found to have used genetically modified soya in place of hazel nuts:

Toru Frema brand milk chocolate hazel nut spread, Loman Nedim chocoloate hazel nut spread produced by MND, Saray Bisküvi and Food’s Eldenele chocolate hazel nut spread and Oben Çikolata’s Seomilky chocolate hazel nut spread.