Pesticide analysis reveals risks in 8 of 15 Istanbul market samples

In a recent analysis by Oksijen Daily, products from five markets in Istanbul were tested for pesticide residues.

The laboratory results revealed that 8 out of 15 items tested positive for pesticides, although they all fell below the threshold set by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

While experts noted it was not unusual for trace pesticides to be present, they emphasized these levels were still considered safe for consumption.

Professor Beraat Ozcelik, who commented on the findings, stated, “Given that we know plants are treated with pesticides, we cannot expect zero pesticide residues. If the levels are below the limit, it means they have been controlled and safely used.”

Rising concerns over pesticide contamination in exports

In 2024, Türkiye became the country with the highest number of food safety alerts in Europe. Under the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), a significant number of Turkish food products were returned because of high pesticide levels.

These products, deemed “risky” or “high-risk,” were often found to be sold domestically, raising concerns about the safety of some foods sold in Turkish markets.

The testing, which was conducted on samples from Kadikoy, Bakirkoy, Besiktas, Pendik, and Ferikoy markets, revealed mixed results. While seven samples showed no pesticide residues, eight contained traces of pesticides, with some samples testing for up to nine active ingredients.

Despite this, none exceeded the pesticide limits set by the Turkish authorities, although some surpassed EU limits, such as indoxacarb, a pesticide used to control insects.

The 15 samples collected from Kadikoy Tarihi Sali Market, Bakirkoy Cumartesi Market, Besiktas Cumartesi Market, Pendik Halk Market, and Ferikoy Organic Market yielded the following results:

• In 7 of the samples, no pesticide was detected. Three of these were organic, certified products from the ecological market.
• Pesticides were detected in eight samples. The number of active substances ranged from one in one product to as many as nine in another. However, it is important to note that the detected pesticides were within the limits set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
• In Pendik tomatoes, the pesticide indoxacarb was found. While it was below the Turkish limit of 0.5 milligrams/kilograms, it exceeded the EU’s limit of 0.01 mg/kg (with a detected level of 0.274 milligrams/kilograms). This means that if the tomatoes from Pendik were sent to the EU, they would have been rejected.

Pesticide levels exceed EU standards in some samples

In Pendik, tomatoes tested positive for indoxacarb, with levels exceeding the EU’s acceptable limit of 0.01 milligrams/kilograms. Although the pesticide was within Türkiye’s acceptable limits of 0.5 mg/kg, the higher levels meant these tomatoes would not be allowed into the European market.

Similarly, acetamiprid, a pesticide found in tomatoes from both Pendik and Bakirkoy markets, exceeded the EU limit, which will be lowered to 0.06 milligrams/kilograms in August 2025.

Experts assert that although pesticide residues are often found in agricultural products, they do not necessarily pose a health risk. Professor Recep Kotan, a specialist in plant protection from Erzurum University, commented: “There is no abnormality in these results. It is expected that pesticide treatments are used multiple times during the growing process.”

Health risks of pesticides

However, some experts warn that pesticide use, even within safe limits, could have long-term health effects. According to reports from the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Public Health Specialists Association, exposure to pesticides has been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.

In 2024, over half of the 513 reports of pesticide contamination in fruit and vegetables exported to the EU came from Türkiye. In previous years, products like dried figs, peppers, citrus fruits, and tomatoes were flagged for excessive pesticide residues.

Controversy surrounding ‘safe dose’ concept

Batur Sehirlioglu, General Manager of the Wheat Ecological Life Support Association, criticized the concept of “safe doses” for pesticides, arguing that many pesticides were later banned after years of use when their harmful effects became apparent. “Pesticides are often introduced to the market, and after years of research, their harmful effects are discovered,” Sehirlioglu stated.

Cocktail effect of multiple pesticides

In addition to concerns over individual pesticide residues, experts are also worried about the “cocktail effect,” where multiple pesticides interact and create more harmful effects than each one individually. Sehirlioglu highlighted that the presence of up to nine different pesticides in a single product, as found in some samples, could pose a more significant health risk.

Professor Kotan acknowledged it is common for pesticides to be used repeatedly during a crop’s growth cycle. “In a typical vegetation period, a crop like tomatoes may be treated with pesticides as many as 45 times,” he explained.

Türkiye’s lagging pesticide regulation: One year behind EU

Despite the growing awareness of pesticide risks, Türkiye’s pesticide regulations remain behind those of the EU. Research on pesticide safety continues, and as new risks are identified, regulations are updated, often with a delay.

The EU has already introduced more stringent limits on certain pesticides, and these regulations will be enforced across Europe by 2025. Türkiye, however, typically implements these changes about a year later.

The costs of pesticide testing in Türkiye are a growing issue. The price of a pesticide analysis, which includes VAT, can reach as high as ₺3,600 ($99), a cost that many small producers find prohibitive. Sehirlioglu emphasized that these high costs could increase food safety risks by limiting access to testing for smaller farmers and producers.

As Türkiye continues to navigate the complexities of pesticide regulation, balancing agricultural productivity with food safety remains a crucial challenge. While experts agree that eliminating pesticides is not feasible, ensuring their responsible use within safe limits is essential to protect public health.