Food safety has become an increasingly important issue as people become more concerned about access to healthy food. Particularly in affluent societies such as the European Union, the increasing consumption of unhealthy fruits and vegetables and carcinogenic residues are constantly on the agenda. Reducing aflatoxin levels in dried foods to below health risk levels, eliminating them from food and ensuring access to healthy food are essential for food safety and human health. In this study, the impact of food safety practices in fruit and vegetable trade between the European Union and Türkiye was examined using mandarins, one of Türkiye’s main fresh fruit and vegetable exports, and the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications for food and feed for the period between 2019 and 2022. The reasons for these notifications and the requests made in this context were examined and a TOWS analysis matrix was created based on the findings obtained. In conclusion, residue and aflatoxin inspections should be included in traceability activities in Türkiye. Producers need to be informed to ensure the effectiveness of inspections. It is crucial to provide adequate support to producers to improve storage conditions for perishable and dry products and to encourage the use of the latest production techniques. It is of great importance to raise awareness of these techniques among producers. Thus, the European Union can be an alternative market to the Russian Federation, which is Türkiye’s largest trading partner.

Probiyotik mikroorganizmalar sıcaklık, pH, oksijen ve su aktivitesi gibi faktörler ile birlikte ürün matriksi ve gıda işlem proseslerinden büyük ölçüde etkilenmektedir. Isıl işleme alternatif teknolojiler, artan probiyotik canlılığı, prebiyotik stabilite ve daha yüksek biyoaktif bileşik konsantrasyonuna sahip yenilikçi gıda ürünlerini tasarlamak için son yıllarda giderek önem kazanmaktadır. Gelişen bu alternatif teknolojilerin probiyotik ürünlere uygulanması, bakteri canlılığını arttırmakla birlikte, probiyotik fermantasyonu ile kolesterolün bağlanması, Caco-2 hücrelerine yapışma, anjiyotensin dönüştürücü enzim (ACE) inhibitörünü artırma, antioksidan, antimikrobiyal aktivite ve sistolik kan basıncını düşürme gibi biyolojik etkileri iyileştirmektedir. Ayrıca, bu teknolojiler ile fermantasyon kinetikleri optimize edilmekte, bakteri faaliyetleri sonucunda bakteriosin, oligosakkarit, peptit, fenolik bileşik, flavonoidler gibi bileşikler üretilmekte, fermente edilmekte, korunmakta, biyoaktif (vitamin ve mineral biyoyararlılığı) ve duyusal özellikler iyileştirilmektedir. Son yıllarda artan sağlık etkilerine sahip postbiyotikler elde etmek için de gelişen bu teknolojiler uygulanmaktadır. Çalışmalar, alternatif işleme teknolojilerinin gıdalardaki probiyotik, prebiyotik ve postbiyotiklerin terapötik etkisini artırdığını göstermektedir. Bu derlemede, ısıl işleme alternatif teknolojilerin probiyotik fermantasyonu üzerindeki etkisi incelenmektedir.

The key objective of this research review is to elucidate the mechanisms for applying a food safety scheme based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and to identify the difficulties and benefits of this technique (HACCP) in Algeria. Characterization of food processing companies around the capital of Algeria was carried out on the basis of questionnaires and direct interviews with the manager in charge of these companies. Forty-six agri-food firms working in the Algiers region and operating in the field for more than 15 years (80.5%) with Joint Stock company (JSC) status (23.9%), Limited Liability Company (LLC) (63%) and multinational companies (26.1%). The establishment of a transparent and effective framework for food safety controls will enable compliance with customer requirements, improved product quality and a stronger commitment to food safety managers. This is favorably correlated with the age as well as the level of education of the managers of the different surveyed companies. The survey conducted in the Algerian region showed that the key barriers to the introduction of the food safety management system (FSMS) in general are inadequate knowledge and competence of the HACCP and a long time to be developed FSMS, a lack of expertise and technical support and a lack of specialized expertise, intelligence and technological assistance to help the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The findings of the survey also revealed that the key reason for the introduction of the FSMS is to strengthen product protection, recognize the strengths and shortcomings of the business, enhance relationships with suppliers and enhance government and consumer confidence.

The studies on phage applications that provide successful results in biocontrol of foodborne pathogens and offer an environmentally friendly approach have been increasing today. Phages are viruses that can infect and kill the specific target bacterial cell. Salmonella is one of the most important pathogenic microorganisms that leading causes of food-borne illnesses called salmonellosis. Meat products especially chicken meat, fresh eggs, dairy products, ready-to-eat foods, seafood products and all kinds of contaminated food can be cause of salmonellosis. In this review, the phage application studies to control of Salmonella in food systems were summarized taking into account the research studied in recent years.

Study on toxigenic mycoflora and potential mitigation effect of Christmas Melon (Laganaria Breviflorus) extract in unpolished rice sold in Abeokuta Ogun state of Nigeria was carried out. Unpolished rice gotten from markets in Abeokuta were aseptically transported to the laboratory, serial dilution to reduce the fungal load was carried out and were plated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Methyl Red Dessicated Coconut Agar (MRDCA) respectively. Microscopy, macroscopy, toxigenicity test and inhibition studies with the peeled and unpeeled fruit of Laganaria breviflorus fermented for seven days was carried out. Results reveal the predominance of Aspergillus as the major genera, specifically, A. niger, A.flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. nidulans. Other fungi genera isolated include Penicillium, F`usarium, Mucor, Alternaria and Rhizopus . Of the 11 fungi genera isolated, 9 were toxigenic of which the zones of inhibition of unpeeled whole fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus range from (3 - 28mm) where A. nidulans shows the highest susceptibility to the whole fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus while the zone of inhibition of peeled fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus ranges from (3 - 22mm) where A. parasiticus, Fusarium specie and P.chrysogenum showed the highest susceptibility . As the day progresses the zone of inhibition becomes wider. Unpeeled LB extract exhibited more zones of inhibition than the peeled LB extract. Laganaria breviflorus fruit extracts in the study demonstrates a potential in reducing toxigenic fungi, consequently a means to reducing mycotoxins in staple foods in Nigeria.

Food fraudulent activities have become a serious issue over the world recently. Seafood products have trading and profitable potential in Turkey owing to the abundance of fisheries and other species. While morphological features are commonly used for species identification in raw seafood products, this identification does not meet the correct classification in cryptic species and processed seafood products. Molecular techniques have been utilized for species authentication in processed seafood items successfully. In this study, the effect of different processing techniques on the DNA quality and DNA degradation isolated from raw and processed anchovy was investigated. Anchovy is one of the important species in both fisheries activities and processing and consumption in Turkey. For this aim, DNA was isolated from processed anchovy groups and un-processed anchovy groups as control by the same extraction methods and the quality of DNA was compared among the groups. The most common processing techniques, frying, baking, smoking, roasting, baking and grilling were applied to anchovy. The results revealed that not only different thermal processing but also treatment with acid and salt cause DNA degradation and quality loss of DNA parameters which are essential for authentication of species and traceability for public health.

In this study; the human health risks of whiting meat and roes, which are frequently consumed in Turkey were evaluated in terms of minerals and heavy metals. The potential of human health risks according to consumption of whiting meats and roes were assessed by estimating of Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) levels of heavy metals. The Cd, Hg and Pb results found in the roes were lower than the acceptable limits identified by Turkish Codex. The results showed that the investigated fish meat’s Pb levels were higher than the limit values except from in April and May. The highest Cd content was 0.22 mg.kg-1 in whiting meat in December while the lowest Cd content was 0.03 mg.kg-1 in May. The maximum value of metal pollution indices (MPI) was determined as 0.44 for whiting meat and 0.66 for roes in March. The THQ values of whiting meat and roes were lower than 1 for six months. However, the TTHQ values of whiting meat in February and March were higher than 1 indicating health risk for the consumer by consuming whiting meat.

Gelatin origin determination has been a crucial issue with respect to religion and health concerns. It is necessary to analyze the origin of gelatin with reliable methods to ensure not only consumer choices but also safety and legal requirements such as labeling. There are many analytical methods developed for detection and/or quantification of gelatin from different sources including bovine, porcine and piscine. These analytical methods can be divided into physicochemical, chromatographic, immunochemical, spectroscopic and molecular methods. Moreover, computational methods have been used in some cases consecutively to ensure sensitivity of the analytical methods. Every method has different advantages and limitations due to their own principles, applied food matrix and process conditions of material. The present review intends to give insight into novel analytical methods and perspectives that have been developed to differentiate porcine, bovine and piscine gelatins and to establish their authenticity. Almost every method can be succeeded in origin determination; however, it is a matter of sensitivity in that some researches fail to ensure sufficient differentiation.

This study investigates the effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in the detoxification of AFM1 contamination. Experiments conducted on two groups of ice cream samples measured an average AFM1 level of 0.0308 µg/kg in the control group and 0.0258 µg/kg in the group with L. rhamnosus added. The results indicate that L. rhamnosus significantly reduced AFM1 levels (46%) and was thus effective in the detoxification of AFM1. Our statistical results were found to be significant (p<0.05). These findings highlight the potential of L. rhamnosus to reduce AFM1 contamination in ice cream products, making a significant contribution to food safety. Controlling mycotoxins in food products is critical for protecting consumer health and enhancing food safety.

For Turkish society, bread has been an indispensable part of the kitchen and daily life throughout history. Due to its high consumption in Turkish society, it plays an important role in terms of both health and nutritional habits. Contamination from the soil where wheat is planted to the bread making process is of great importance for health. In this study, the amounts of heavy metals such as aluminum, copper, nickel, chromium, manganese, iron, lead and cadmium in the soil of an agricultural land, in flour obtained from wheat grown there and in bread made from this flour were investigated using ICP-MS. The average levels of Al, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Fe, Pb and As in soil samples were 120.46, 12.23, 44.9, 93.46, 10.83, 2.06, 196.87, 1.96 and 0.21 mg/kg, respectively. In flour samples, these levels were 17.20, 2.03, 28.93, 26.3, 3.37, 0.09, 30.93, 1.37 and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. In bread samples, 11.27, 0.77, 8.27, 18.63, 0.4, 0.02, 12.76, 0.04 and 0.001 mg/kg, respectively. The results obtained show that high metal levels in the soil are also found in bread. This indicates that heavy metal levels in bread may pose health risks in long-term consumption. Especially levels of aluminum, nickel, chromium and cadmium metals can cause serious health problems. Therefore, it is important to reduce heavy metal contamination in agriculture and production processes and to conduct regular inspections. Compliance with maximum limits set by health authorities and regulatory agencies is also critical for public health.