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This study was performed to determine the microbial quality of stuffed mussels and to discuss the microbiological quality criteria of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods defined in the Turkish Food Codex (TFC).

Stuffed mussel (Midye Dolma), which can be classified as RTE foods, made from mussel and rice, cooked separately then put together in the shell, is commonly consumed in Turkey. This special food might be an important source of microorganisms especially pathogen bacteria because of preparation and serving process. During the period of March‐October 2006, a total of 168 stuffed mussel samples were collected randomly from restaurants, buffets and street sellers located in Istanbul and analysed some microbiological parameters.

Coliforms were detected in 130 (77.38 per cent), Escherichia coli in 37 (22.02 per cent), Staphylococcus aureus in 40 (23.80 per cent), Bacillus cereus in 65 (38.69 per cent), yeast and moulds in 147 (87.50 per cent) and sulphite‐reducing anaerob bacteria in 61 (36.30 per cent) stuffed mussel samples, respectively. Total aerobic bacteria count (TAB) was between 1.0 × 10² and 3.2 × 10⁷ CFU/g. No Salmonella spp. was detected in analysed samples.

This is the first comprehensive study to provide information on the microbiological quality of stuffed mussels sold in Istanbul, Turkey. This information is important in the determination of measures that can be taken to control the safety of these cooked or prepared foods.

Departing from Turkish national debates around Islam, national belonging, and homosexuality during 2008–2011, this paper shows how “LGBT rights” discourses ultimately worked to position Muslim headscarf activists as against LGBT activists by rendering complex positions that do not follow easy “for vs. against” LGBT rights political formulas as “homophobic.” In return, this foreclosed potential solidarities differently injured citizens could have formed against increasing neoliberal state violence. I show that the multitude of Muslim women’s positions on the issue of LGBT rights complicates easy religious/secular binaries and illuminates how it is not only human rights discourses but also their “Western” critiques that travel transnationally. This story also contributes to current debates on postsecularism by illustrating how the same national context can house both liberal rights frameworks that can be used against pious Muslim subjects, and a monopolization of a definition of Islam for state power. Finally, I offer “politics of cruelty” and “right to sin” as alternative frameworks for imagining social justice outside of liberal rights-based politics.

The internet provides a wide range of technologies that enable health professionals to communicate with people. It ultimately may soon be the primary source for an individual searching for healthcare information, even for emerging economies such as Turkey. This study aims to examine how perceived benefits, perceived quality, and reliability of electronic health (e‐health) information affect intention to repeat e‐health information search behavior.

Through an announcement on one of the well‐known health web sites in Turkey, 376 out of 386 valid and complete responses were received via an online survey. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and multiple regressions analysis.

Results of the study indicate that the personal health issues component of perceived benefit has received the most consistent support as the factor that influences future health information search intention on the internet.

Research findings show that consumers use health web sites as a complementary tool rather than self‐diagnosing. Considering this, suggestions were made for web site designers to concentrate on information needs of consumers especially on personal health issues. Nevertheless, scope of data collection and focusing on intention rather than actual e‐health search behavior are the limitations of this study.

The internet was used by 45 percent of Turkish internet users for searching health‐related information approximately in 2009. So, how do these e‐health information seekers evaluate the benefits, quality, and reliability of e‐health information? Do benefits, quality, and reliability of e‐health information affect future e‐health information search intention? This study is unique in addressing all these questions for Turkish internet users.

This study aims to evaluate the reflection of COVID-19 pandemic anxiety experienced in adults on nutritional habits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

The study was conducted with 600 adults aged between 19 and 64 years. The general characteristics of the individuals, nutritional habits, use of dietary supplements and COVID-19 pandemic anxiety before and during the pandemic period were questioned via a Web-based questionnaire. COVID-19-related anxiety was assessed using The COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 24.0.

In this study, 49.8% of the participants stated that their appetite and food consumption amount increased during the pandemic period. The rate of use of dietary supplements among individuals was found to be 40%. It was observed that the mean body weight and body mass index increased significantly in both genders during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been determined that anxiety about COVID-19 is higher in individuals and women who start using nutritional support during the pandemic period. The total C19P-S and STAI scores of those who started using a dietary supplement during the pandemic were significantly higher than those who did not use a dietary supplement. Similarly, those whose eating habits changed positively and those who bought more packaged products had higher C19P-S scale mean scores (p < 0.05).

During the COVID-19 period, it is important to reduce the anxiety levels of individuals, provide psychological support, raise awareness of adequate and balanced nutrition and the correct use of dietary supplements to adapt to the new lifestyle.