Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu: “I recommend not consuming Antep pistachios for a while!”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu, highlighting the recent abundance and cheapness of Antep pistachios, said, “I recommend not consuming Antep pistachios for a while to avoid risking your health. Stay away from products whose quality and reliability you are not sure of, to protect yourself from the possible harms of toxic substances like aflatoxin.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu, Head of the Biosecurity Department at Üsküdar University Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, evaluated the allegations of 'mold and aflatoxin' in Antep pistachios, which are currently on the agenda with Dubai chocolate.

Abundance and falling prices in Antep pistachios…

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu warned about the recent abundance and falling prices of Antep pistachios, pointing out that the reasons behind the sudden increase of pistachios in the market could pose risks to public health.

Referring specifically to the aflatoxin issue, which has recently been in the news, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu said, “Aflatoxin is known as a toxin produced by certain types of fungi, which has serious adverse effects on human health. If consumed uncontrollably, this substance can lead to various health problems, from liver damage to cancer.”

May pose a serious risk to public health

Recalling that news recently emerged about some Antep pistachios exported to Europe being returned due to aflatoxin detection, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu said, “Now, I have concerns about whether the pistachios that have started to be sold at a cheap price in the domestic market are these returned products. Unfortunately, in such situations, we fear whether ‘products that cannot be sold in the foreign market and are returned can be offered to consumers in the domestic market.’ This situation could pose a serious risk to public health. It is essential that consumers are openly informed about what happens domestically to products that cannot be sold abroad for reasons like aflatoxin, as food safety is a very important issue.”

Stay away from products you are not sure about!

Stating that products carrying aflatoxin risk can cause more serious health problems, especially in children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu called on citizens to be more cautious in their consumption of Antep pistachios, saying, “I recommend not consuming Antep pistachios for a while to avoid risking your health. Stay away from products whose quality and reliability you are not sure of, to protect yourself from the possible harms of toxic substances like aflatoxin.”

What is Aflatoxin?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu issued an important warning to the public about aflatoxin, stating that it is an extremely dangerous toxin commonly produced by certain mold fungi. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu stated that aflatoxin is particularly produced by mold fungi species such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, emphasizing that these toxins can easily develop in humid and warm environments. 

Yılancıoğlu stated that if foods are not stored under appropriate conditions, molds can rapidly multiply and produce toxins, noting that the risk of aflatoxin is particularly higher in cereals, hazelnuts, pistachios, corn, and some spices.

Can lead to serious health problems with long-term and continuous consumption

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu continued:

“Although exposure to aflatoxin may show mild symptoms such as stomach and intestinal discomfort in the short term, long-term and continuous consumption can lead to more serious health problems. Particularly, individuals exposed to this toxin for extended periods may develop severe health issues, ranging from liver damage to cancer.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu stated that liver cancer is one of the most dangerous consequences of prolonged contact with aflatoxin, emphasizing that this type of cancer is often difficult to treat and can be fatal.

Liver cancer developing due to aflatoxin can show rapid progression

Stating that the damage caused by aflatoxin to the liver is irreversible, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu said, “Liver cancer is considered one of the most deadly types of cancer in the world, and unfortunately, the life expectancy for individuals diagnosed with this disease is low depending on the type of cancer. Liver cancer developing due to aflatoxin can generally show rapid progression and may lead to patients losing their lives within 6 to 12 months after diagnosis.”

Do not risk your health by being swayed by the allure of price

Therefore, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu issued an important warning to consumers, also drawing attention to the importance of healthy food consumption, stating, “Pay attention to the production conditions, storage, and warehousing processes of the foods you consume. Take care to choose reliable products stored under good conditions. Especially with risky products like pistachios, do not risk your health by being swayed by the allure of price. Conscious consumer behavior regarding food safety is extremely important to protect against dangers like aflatoxin.”

Finally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu also provided information about measures that can be taken to reduce aflatoxin contamination, concluding, “Producers need to be careful in their field and storage processes to prevent aflatoxin formation. Ensuring necessary controls and appropriate storage conditions at every stage from the field to the table can significantly reduce the adverse effects of this toxin on human health.”