13.03.2026 22:19
While the horse meat used in the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality's kitchen and distributed as roasted meat has sparked public debate, the Mayor of Mersin, Vahap Seçer, made a statement regarding the issue. Speaking about the scandal that has shaken Turkey, Seçer responded to the allegations by stating that the municipality's meat procurement process has passed all official inspections. Seçer mentioned that the municipality has also been a victim in the ongoing process and claimed that the issue is being attempted to be turned into a political material.
It has been revealed that the meat used in the kavurma distributed at the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality's soup kitchen comes from Smart Latch, a 4-year-old English racehorse with three championships. Mayor Vahap Seçer stated that they received the meat under camera supervision, saying, "We are the victims here."
Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer made statements regarding the allegations of horse meat being used in the municipality's kitchen. Speaking at the Municipal Council, Seçer noted that all the meat had gone through official inspection processes.
"IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT THE ALLEGATIONS CAME UP DURING RAMADAN"
Recalling that the incident occurred on February 4, Seçer expressed that he found it noteworthy that the allegations were brought up during Ramadan. He stated that the issue was being attempted to be turned into a political material and emphasized that they do not want peace in Mersin to be disturbed.
Seçer argued that the news published by some media outlets could lead to social outrage, saying, "Evaluations are being made without knowing the limits of municipalities' authority regarding food safety and public health. This issue is being addressed with political considerations."
"MEAT PROCUREMENT IS DONE THROUGH LEGAL PROCESSES"
Stating that approximately 170 tons of meat are used annually in the municipality's kitchen, Seçer said that meat procurement is done through an open tender method and that the entire process is carried out in accordance with the legislation.
Seçer shared the following information, stating that authorized food engineers are involved in the meat receiving process:
"Meat deliveries occur under the supervision and approval of the slaughterhouse officer from the District Agriculture Directorate and veterinarians. Animals are slaughtered at the slaughterhouse and are inspected by veterinarians assigned by the District Agriculture Directorate. We also receive the meat under camera supervision, review the slaughter report, and accept it accordingly."
"WE HAVE INITIATED ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS"
Seçer also announced that they have initiated an additional inspection process as a municipality following the allegations, stating that they do not settle for just reports and that samples are taken from every meat batch.
Indicating that the samples are analyzed at the Mersin Food Control Laboratory Directorate, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Seçer said, "If there are no negative results in the analysis, we proceed with the acceptance of the meat."