In late May, more than 1,000 soldiers from a land forces brigade in the western Turkish province of Manisa were hospitalized for food poisoning, and one of them lost his life. The problem at the barracks, where 6,000 new conscripts are receiving training, was described as intestinal infection, but the detailed medical analyses of samples from affected soldiers have not been released. On June 17, a new bout of mass food poisonings occurred in Manisa. Around the same time, dozens of soldiers were hospitalized also in Kastamonu and Diyarbakir, again with food poisoning symptoms.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and other opposition parties raised the issue in parliament, proposing an inquiry commission to investigate the food poisoning incidents. The proposal was voted down by lawmakers of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), who hold the majority in the legislature.

The CHP has also requested an emergency meeting of the parliament’s National Defense Commission, calling for an explanation of why private subcontractors have taken over food services at military garrisons.

Opposition parties claim the catering contracts of many military and other public institutions have been awarded to companies close to the AKP, including the one in Manisa. Following a total of four food poisoning incidents over a month, the company in Manisa saw its contract canceled and about 40 of its managers and employees detained.