The seminar organized by the Near East University Irfan Günsel Research Center addressed the “International Dimension of Food Safety Management”.

The Near East University Irfan Günsel Research Center, which sheds light on current issues in the field of agriculture and food with its scientific activities, addressed food safety and quality with the “International Dimension of Food Safety Management” seminar.

The necessity of considering the audit and management practices in the process from farm to table with an international dimension was emphasized in the seminar, and current developments were conveyed to the participants. The seminar also offered the opportunity for the audience to get to know and evaluate global food safety standards. At the seminar, Prof. Dr. Beyza Hatice Ulusoy , Vice Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Near East University and Board Member of the Irfan Günsel Research Center, made a presentation and drew attention to the fact that food safety is a subject that is too broad to be evaluated only on a local scale.

The seminar, which was held with the participation of academicians and students, ended with a question-and-answer session, and Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of Near East University and President of the İrfan Günsel Research Center, also took part in the seminar. Reminding us about the mission of the İrfan Günsel Research Center at the opening of the event, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden drew attention to the importance of preserving the agricultural values specific to Cyprus and transferring them to future generations on a scientific basis. Prof. Dr. Beyza Hatice Ulusoy, on the other hand, comparatively addressed the policies implemented in different countries on food safety in her presentation, and stated that safe food production will become more sustainable with international cooperation and information sharing.

Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of Near East University and President of the İrfan Günsel Research Center, shared the purpose of the center with the participants in her opening speech. Prof. Dr. Özden stated that the center was founded by the Founding Rector of Near East University and emphasized that it was established to keep alive the devotion of Dr. Suat Günsel’s father İrfan Günsel to Cyprus, Cypriot culture, agriculture and soil. Reminding that İrfan Günsel was particularly interested in beekeeping, Prof. Dr. Özden said that events were also planned where innovative projects would be discussed in this field. Stating that they aim to keep local values alive and to share and disseminate them with the society by conducting research with national and international collaborations on agriculture, food and rural development, Prof. Dr. Özden also stated that the center also aims for scientific production that will contribute to the TRNC’s EU harmonization process.

Prof. Dr. Beyza Hatice Ulusoy: “According to WHO data, approximately 600 million people in the world get sick every year due to unsafe food!”

In her presentation “The International Dimension of Food Safety Management”, Near East University İrfan Günsel Research Center Board Member Prof. Dr. Beyza Hatice Ulusoy said that developments in cold chain systems and logistics infrastructure in particular, play a major role in the safe transportation of perishable products. Stating that “Thanks to blockchain technology, the journey of the product from the field to the table can now be monitored transparently.” Prof. Dr. Ulusoy noted that digitalization provides confidence to the consumer and makes production processes more accountable.

Prof. Dr. Ulusoy also emphasized that smart agricultural practices increase production efficiency and facilitate global market access. Emphasizing that not only technological infrastructure but also internationally harmonized legal regulations play a major role in ensuring food safety, Prof. Dr. Ulusoy stated that these regulations are an integral part of the process. Stating that the European Union’s regulation numbered 178/2002 and Turkey’s law numbered 5996 are among the exemplary practices in this field, Prof. Dr. Ulusoy drew attention to the social impact of the issue by saying, “According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, approximately 600 million people in the world get sick every year due to unsafe food.” In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Ulusoy emphasized that food security, which is directly related to sustainable development goals, is a fundamental part of the right to a healthy life.