01.09.2026 15:21
Greenpeace Turkey had 20 tomato samples purchased from 5 chain markets in Istanbul analyzed in an independent laboratory. According to the results announced by the organization, pesticide use contrary to regulations was detected in 3 samples, and in one of them, the substance Chlorfenapyr, which was banned at the end of 2010, was found. It was reported that no pesticide residue was found in only one of the 20 tomato samples.
Greenpeace Turkey announced that 3 of 20 tomato samples purchased from 5 supermarket chains in Istanbul within the scope of its "What's In It?" campaign were found to contain pesticide use contrary to regulations.
According to the statement made by Greenpeace Turkey, tomato samples were taken from 5 chain stores in the Sultanbeyli, Sancaktepe, Ataşehir and Kadıköy districts of Istanbul within the scope of the campaign. In the analyses carried out in an internationally accredited laboratory, non-compliance was determined in 3 of the 20 tomato samples, that is, 15 percent.
In 2 of the 3 products where non-compliance was detected, active substances whose use on tomatoes is unlicensed were found. According to the information in the Greengrocer Registration System displayed at the display stands, it was stated that these products had the "good agricultural" logo. In one product, the active substance Chlorfenapyr, which was completely banned as of December 31, 2010, was detected. The analyses also determined that 7 of the 20 products, 35 percent, contained more than 3 pesticides. In the study, where pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are stated to pose a risk to children's health, were also examined, at least one PFAS substance was detected in 14 of the 20 products, that is, 70 percent. In only one of the samples, 5 percent, no pesticide residue was found.
REPORT CARD FOR SUPERMARKETS PREPARED
Greenpeace Turkey, together with the analysis results, prepared a "Supermarket Report Card" evaluating the pesticide policies of supermarket chains and the analysis results of the products. In the report card, 75 points were allocated to the policy commitments publicly announced by the supermarkets, and 25 points to the results of the products tested in the independent laboratory.
4 DEMANDS
Greenpeace Turkey demanded full transparency in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain of organized retail chains, zero tolerance for the "cocktail effect" created by pesticides, stricter residue limits, and the protection of farmer welfare. The organization requested that independent laboratory inspections be standardized across the entire fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain and that the results be shared with the public.
Greenpeace, which demands that a maximum of 3 different pesticide active substances be allowed in a product, even if they are below legal limits, suggested that supermarkets establish their own internal standards and set maximum residue limits 20 percent below the limits determined by the state.
Greenpeace also requested incentives for farmers, agricultural engineer support, premiums, and fair contracts during the transition process to poison-free and ecological production.
Greenpeace Turkey Director Berkan Özyer, stating that they have been drawing attention to the pesticide problem for many years, made the following statement:
"As a result of more than 50 thousand signatures given to the 'Don't Poison' campaign demanding the disclosure of analysis results and a long legal struggle, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that non-conformities were detected in 6 thousand 369 of the 246 thousand 946 samples taken in inspections conducted on 55 products between 2021 and 2023.
BEING ABLE TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP
While the Ministry data does not cover all the requested years, the information on which products, which pesticides, and by how much the limits were exceeded was not included in the sharing. Despite these shortcomings, being able to get a response from the Ministry was a positive step. In this new phase, however, we have determined the focus of our campaign to be the organized retail chains, which dictate the production conditions in the food supply chain from field to shelf and are the decision-makers of the market.
We determined the five supermarket chains whose products we analyzed in the campaign because they have reached the largest market share in the organized retail market. As a result of the analysis of tomato samples we took from five supermarket chains in four districts of Istanbul, we encountered pesticides that are contrary to regulations, moreover, a pesticide whose use was completely banned 15 years ago, even in a seasonal vegetable. More than 3 pesticides were detected in 7 of the samples.
"WE CAN ACHIEVE RESULTS IF WE ARE TOGETHER"
Access to pesticide-free food is a right. According to official data, establishing an inspection infrastructure for supermarket chains, which held nearly 60 percent of the market as recently as 2021, is neither costly nor impossible. Those who can control the market can also have pesticides analyzed; moreover, at this stage, providing pesticide-free food is their responsibility. The positive response to our campaign demands will both liberate the producer and enable the consumer in front of the shelves to do their shopping without thinking, 'What's in it?'. Therefore, we invite everyone to join our campaign by asking the question, 'What's in it?'. If we are together, we can achieve results."