Forestry Ministry

The Health Ministry has taken steps to address the widespread use of melatonin and decided to limit its availability to pharmacies only.

Two years ago, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry acquired the licensing authority for melatonin products. Considered a nutritional supplement, melatonin products have since then started to be offered for sale, even in stores.

The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry has introduced new standards for the use of "vegan" and "vegetarian" terminology in food labeling and promotion.

Turkish researchers have undertaken the country's first space breeding project, sending chickpea and Arabidopsis (cress) seeds into space.

Coordinated by the Turkish Space Agency, the project utilized the "Shijian-19" satellite operated by the China National Space Administration. The seeds remained in orbit for 14 days before being returned to Earth for further study.

Fishermen from the earthquake-hit city of Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the deadly Feb. 6, 2023 twin earthquakes, have made a remarkable recovery and are now exporting fish to 54 countries.

Described as "the disaster of the century," the earthquake devastated 11 southern provinces, but the resilience of local fish producers has seen the industry bounce back.

Handling around 1.4 million analyses annually, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry's Ankara Food Control Laboratory is playing a crucial role in ensuring food safety across Türkiye.

The laboratory processes 100 to 150 samples daily to prevent unfair penalties and ensure consumer safety.

A nationwide uproar has erupted over a popular meatball chain after the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry's food inspections revealed that some of its meat dishes contained pork.

After a long hiatus, the publication of the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry's list of counterfeit and adulterated foods has reignited public discourse.

The list, last published in March 2022 and detailing noncompliant food producers, drew widespread attention from consumers.

In a bid to further its efforts in combating food waste and promoting food sustainability, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry has launched an initiative to examine the impact of the open buffet serving system at hotels on food waste.

Food companies, especially food exporting firms, are hoping that they can benefit from a recent regulation that paves the way for the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry to lease out agricultural lands that are not cultivated for two consecutive years.

In a newly introduced measure to enhance agricultural productivity in Türkiye, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry will lease out agricultural lands that have not been cultivated for two consecutive years.