Avropalı deputatlar
Expert: "Consumers do not know about the composition of the product"
The Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AQTA) has sounded an alarm after inspections this year revealed significant issues in the production and serving of raw doner kebabs at public catering establishments. A total of 11 raw doner production facilities and 82 doner outlets were found to be operating with deficiencies.
Earlier this year, more than 20 students in the Baku village of Bina reported a deterioration in their health related to the use of doner kebab. This incident has raised concerns among experts, who believe that rising prices in Azerbaijan are driving people to seek out cheaper, lower-quality food options, with potential negative consequences for public health.
Tahir Rzayev, Chairman of the Agrarian Committee of the Milli Majlis in an interview with Turan, emphasized that ensuring food security is a shared responsibility. He stated, "It goes without saying that cases of doner-related illness are concerning. However, it would not be entirely fair to blame the Food Safety Agency alone, as it cannot monitor every corner of the country. While there have been numerous fines, it remains to be seen whether the situation will improve. Some unscrupulous individuals take advantage of the situation, selling meat of unknown origin under the guise of beef, which only becomes apparent later."
Deputy Rzayev pointed out that in many cases, foodborne illnesses occur at home, indicating that both consumers and sellers of doner kebabs need to prioritize health and safety. He noted that warnings about the poor quality of certain food products have been issued repeatedly, but people continue to consume them.
Ayyub Huseynov, Chairman of the Union of Free Consumers, in an interview with Radio Azadlig underscored the challenging conditions under which doner outlets operate in Azerbaijan, where consumers often lack information about product composition and preparation procedures. He stated, "Although there are standards for doner kebabs in our country, these hygienic requirements are not consistently followed, and those working in doner outlets are not subjected to medical examinations."
Huseynov argued that legislative changes are needed urgently, as inspections of business establishments face significant bureaucratic hurdles. He stressed the importance of establishing accurate statistics on food poisoning cases, not just related to doner kebabs but also other products, to inform effective policymaking in the area of food safety.
Attempts to obtain comments from doner kebab businesses regarding these concerns were unsuccessful, raising further questions about the transparency and accountability of such establishments in safeguarding public health.
The recent wave of illnesses linked to doner kebabs serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for comprehensive reforms in the food safety sector in Azerbaijan. As public awareness grows, there is increasing pressure on authorities to address these issues promptly to protect the health and well-being of the population.
Social
-
An online meeting of civil society activists focused on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, convened on the initiative of the Justice Solidarity Committee, highlighted significant concerns over the detention of journalists, political activists, and opponents of the war. The gathering, held on August 30, coincided with the International Day of Remembrance of the Missing and underscored the ongoing challenges facing both Azerbaijani and Armenian societies in the wake of the Karabakh conflicts.
-
No precipitation is expected in Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula; the northwestern wind will change to a southeastern wind during the day. Air temperatures will range from 21-26°C at night and 33-38°C during the day, according to the National Hydrometeorology Service of the Ministry of Ecology.
-
A fire has erupted at the Experimental and Testing Production of the Scientific Research Institute of SOCAR (the state oil company) in the Surakhani district of Baku, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported. "Thanks to the urgent and necessary measures taken by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the spread of the fire to neighboring areas, including nearby residential buildings, has been prevented," the statement reads. Efforts to extinguish the fire are still ongoing.
-
In September, the average monthly air temperature in Azerbaijan is expected to be close to the climatic norm. Precipitation levels will also be near the norm, but in some areas, they will exceed it, according to the September forecast from the National Hydrometeorological Service.
Leave a review