ŞOK Markets Expands Pesticide Testing for Tomatoes
· Tarım Pusulası
ŞOK Markets has implemented pesticide analysis for Rio tomatoes, a staple for winter preparations, offering transparent lab results accessible to consumers via QR codes.
Pesticide Testing for Rio Tomatoes
ŞOK Markets is continuing its pesticide analysis application, launched with the goal of enhancing food safety by the end of 2025, with Rio tomatoes, widely used for winter preserves and canning. Products tested in the company's supply platform laboratories according to Turkish Food Codex standards are dispatched to shelves. While the current application includes tomatoes, peppers, and citrus fruits, plans are in place to expand the process to include garlic and seedless grapes.
Providing information on the scope of the application, ŞOK Markets CEO Uğur Demirel made the following statement:
"As ŞOK Markets, we approach food safety with a 'from field to table' perspective. We are gradually expanding our pesticide analysis application, which we launched in our own laboratories, by incorporating different fruit and vegetable groups into the system."
Transparent Reporting via QR Code
Labels stating "Passed Pesticide Analysis" are affixed to Rio tomato crates that have successfully passed laboratory controls. Consumers can access the detailed analysis report for the relevant batch of products directly through the Cepte ŞOK application by scanning the QR codes on these labels with their mobile devices. Stating that they aim to enable consumers to make their winter preparations with confidence, ŞOK Markets CEO Uğur Demirel made the following assessment:
"We want our customers to make their winter preparations with peace of mind."
Emphasizing that the transparent traceability mechanism will become more widespread, ŞOK Markets CEO Uğur Demirel expressed his goals as follows:
"In the coming period, we will continue to conduct analyses on more products by opening new laboratories."
Direct Field Support for Producers
The 'From Field to Table Sustainable Agriculture' model, maintained by the retail chain since 2020, supports the sustainability of production by offering purchase guarantees to farmers within the framework of contract farming. Agricultural engineers working in field operations provide technical consultancy to producers on topics such as correct pesticide application techniques, registered production, harvest timing, and sustainable agriculture practices. Post-harvest pesticide analysis results are regularly shared with farmers, and on-farm improvement steps are planned when necessary.