Turkey's Agriculture Ministry lists items found to contain horse, donkey meat and unlicensed drug substance

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said laboratory tests detected horse and donkey meat in a range of processed meat products and ready meals across several provinces, and an active pharmaceutical ingredient in a herbal paste. The ministry named sausages produced by the Kırklareli-based company Shaft under the brands "Koca Ağa Çiftliği" and "Salih Koca Ağa Çiftliği," saying the products contained meat types not permitted in their formulation. Similar violations were reported in Mersin and Manisa. In Mersin, tests found horse and donkey meat in ground meat and tantuni prepared by the food company Saray and the outlet Gözde Tantuni, according to the ministry. In Manisa, inspectors detected the same prohibited meats in raw lahmacun dough served at the restaurant Hüseyin Usta Mangçe. Separately in Mersin, the ministry said an epimedium-containing paste produced by the herbal product firm Bioclass was found to contain an active pharmaceutical substance. The ministry said administrative and legal proceedings have been initiated against the companies and businesses implicated in the violations. Inspections are continuing in additional provinces and districts, the ministry said, adding that further test results will be released publicly to protect consumer health and strengthen food safety oversight.