12.04.2025 12:50
In Turkey, a leading poultry meat producer, Şenpiliç, was found to have the deadly Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in its product called "mother meatball." As a result, the company was fined 210,000 TL. However, the fact that the fine constitutes only a very small portion of the company's annual revenue has led to public outcry.
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One of Turkey's leading poultry meat producers, Şenpiliç, was fined 210,000 TL after the deadly Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was found in its product called "mother's meatballs." However, the fact that this fine constitutes only a small part of the company's annual revenue has led to significant public backlash and criticism.
ANNUAL REVENUES AT 19 BILLION TL LEVELS
According to experts, this bacteria poses a direct threat to human health. The bacteria particularly thrive in environments with inadequate hygiene conditions and in raw chicken products. Despite all these risks, the penalty imposed on the company by the relevant authorities was limited to just 210,000 TL. However, the company's annual revenue is at the level of 19 billion TL. This means that the fine is only one-hundred-thousandth of the company's revenue. Consumer associations and social media users express their reactions, stating that the penalties are far from being deterrent.
A LETTER REGARDING THE RECALL OF THE PRODUCT WAS SENT
In a letter sent from the Sakarya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to other provinces regarding the recall of the product, it was stated, "During the official inspection conducted by our Directorate's control officers at the facility operating under the name Şenpiliç Gıda Sanayi Anonim Şirketi located at Soğucak Mahallesi 3rd Organized Industrial Zone No:44 Merkez Söğütlü, a sample was taken from the product 'Şenpiliç My Mother's Meatballs Chicken Butcher Meatball' (STT: 10/03/2025, - Batch No: 204125 Approval Number: 54-0160). According to the analysis conducted on the said product, it was determined that it does not comply with the Turkish Food Codex Microbiological Criteria Regulation due to the presence of 'L. monocytogenes,' and legal action has been taken against the producing company. The legal period granted to the company for the recall of the said product has expired, and since a violation of Article 21, Paragraph 5 of the Law No. 5996 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food, and Feed has been detected, the products in question must be recalled from the market as soon as possible in accordance with Article 40, Paragraph 1, subparagraph (d) of the same law. Our Provincial Directorate requests that if the said product is encountered during inspections, the necessary actions be taken and information be provided to our Directorate."
STATEMENT FROM ŞENPİLİÇ
In a statement made by Şenpiliç, it was stated, "In a sample taken by the Sakarya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry from our advanced processing cooked production facility on 10.02.2025, Listeria bacteria was detected in the product 'My Mother's Meatballs Chicken Butcher Meatball' with a consumption date of 10.03.2025."
Upon notification, a risk was identified in a batch of products that had been distributed, and the recall procedure was quickly initiated on the same date, with the said products being collected from the supply chain and returned to the facility.
The statement added, "No negative findings were detected in the analyses conducted in an accredited laboratory before and after the relevant batch. There are no products belonging to the relevant batch in the market, and all our production processes are carried out meticulously in accordance with our Food Safety Policy, from raw materials to the final product."
WHAT IS L. MONOCYTOGENES BACTERIA?
It is known as one of the deadliest pathogenic bacteria that cause infections. It is one of the foodborne pathogens. It poses serious risks for pregnant women, the elderly, newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems. According to data from the U.S. Department of Health, there are over 300 deaths annually caused solely by this bacteria. There are many germs that can be transmitted through food. Some of them, like Listeria, can be deadly.
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