Author: Bitkiden | Bitki Bazlı Gıdalar
BİTKİDEN draws attention to safe consumption on International Tea Day, Unpackaged and unregulated products pose a serious health risk Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world after water. Turkey is the world champion in daily tea consumption per capita. Speaking on May 21, International Tea Day, Ebru Akdağ, Chair of the Board of Directors at BİTKİDEN, highlighted the food safety risks posed by unpackaged and unregulated products sold openly. Emphasizing the need to choose packaged, traceable, and food-safe products, Akdağ stressed that not every plant considered natural is safe. Tea, an indispensable part of shared moments, a symbol…
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry introduced EU standards for pesticide limits with a new regulation in January 2025. Approximately two months have passed since the Ministry’s three-month compliance period. However, some products sent from Turkey to Europe are being returned on the grounds that they contain pesticide residues and aflatoxins. In fact, over the past three weeks, more than 20 products, including grape leaves, dried thyme, pistachios, dried figs, coffee, lemons, and chickpea flour, were either withdrawn from the market or sent back. Greenpeace Turkey also examined 155 samples taken from 14 different types of vegetables and fruits…
Plant-Based Foods Association (BİTKİDEN) Board Chair Ebru Akdağ states, “Functional foods, environmentally friendly ingredients, and local products that support biodiversity are now at the center of everyday consumption. This is because the future of plant-based nutrition signals a multidimensional shift in understanding.” Constantly changing climate conditions, dwindling resources, and increasing population pressure are transforming the agricultural sector from merely a production area into a strategic security issue for the future of the planet. For this reason, the agricultural sector is undergoing a transformation that redefines not only production methods but also the rationale and purpose of production. At the heart…
On the second day of the MFF Middle East Food Fair held in Gaziantep, the GSO Food Summit hosted a panel discussion titled “The New Food Economy System in the New World.” Organized as part of a university-industry collaboration, the panel brought together academic knowledge and industry experience. Gaziantep Middle East Fair Center (OFM) Conference Hall, moderated by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bayram, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Gaziantep University. Participants included Ali Can Koçak, Member of the Board of Directors of the Gaziantep Chamber of Industry (GSO); Hüsamettin Selçuk, Member of the Board of Directors of GASBEM; Prof.…
Experts have responded to the claim circulating on social media that “eating chicken feminizes men.” Pointing out that this claim has no scientific basis, experts emphasized that hormone use in chicken meat is both prohibited and technically impossible. Recently, a dietitian stated on social media, “Chicken disrupts hormonal balance. It lowers testosterone and increases estrogen in men.” However, according to experts, these claims that “eating chicken feminizes men” have no scientific basis. We asked three different experts in the fields of urology, endocrinology, and food safety. The experts agreed, stating, “There are no hormones in chicken meat; it does not…
The Mediterranean Diet ranks first in US News & World Report’s best diets ranking, followed by the DASH and flexitarian diets. The list is determined by dietitians, academics, and doctors specializing in diabetes, heart health, and weight management, based on the diet’s overall health benefits, weight loss potential, feasibility, nutritional value, and safety criteria. The biggest commonality among the diets that have consistently ranked in the top three over the years is an increase in the proportion of plant-based foods on the table. Various nutritional approaches stand out for those who want to adopt healthy lifestyles. The Mediterranean, DASH, and…
The bountiful iftar tables set during Ramadan unfortunately also increase food waste without us realizing it. While 102 kg of food per person ends up in the trash every year in Turkey, the way to reduce this waste is to adopt simple and conscious consumption habits in line with the essence of Ramadan. ISTANBUL (IGFA) – The month of Ramadan is a period that symbolizes abundance and prosperity, as well as sharing and conscious consumption. However, the increasing variety on iftar tables also brings food waste with it. According to the United Nations Food Waste Index, 8.7 million tons of…
Novonesis, born from the merger of Denmark’s two major biotechnology companies, Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, focuses on biotechnology solutions that improve the customer experience while prioritizing sustainability. Novonesis recently celebrated its first anniversary. Novonesis, established through the merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, which aims to make the world a better place with biosolutions, has completed its first year. This new beginning, based on the power of biotechnology, aims to increase efficiency by offering sectoral solutions to its customers. Board members, corporate partners, employees, and industry stakeholders gathered at an event held to mark Novonesis’ first anniversary. The future is…
Oksijen sent products purchased from five markets in Istanbul for pesticide (chemical substances used in agriculture) analysis. According to laboratory reports, pesticides were detected in 8 of the 15 products, but all were below the limit values set by the ministry. Commenting on the reports, Prof. Dr. Beraat Özçelik said, “Knowing that the plants were treated with pesticides, we couldn’t expect zero pesticides. If it’s below the limit, it means it was used in a controlled manner,” while Ebru Akdağ from the Chamber of Food Engineers also found the results “better than expected.” Turkey was the country with the most…
Plant-based foods not only change individuals’ eating habits, but also play a critical role in providing solutions for environmental and economic sustainability. Here’s what you need to know about plant-based foods… This content was written by Ebru Akdağ, Food Engineer and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Plant-Based Foods Association (BİTKİDEN). Plant-based foods are emerging as sustainable protein alternatives that can help combat the climate crisis by requiring less water, energy, and land use in their production processes. They also slow the rise in global temperatures by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, namely the release of gases such as…