American Margarine's Fierce Foe Made Him a CIA Target (1950s)

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 8 June 2020)


 'Tarhana' Osman and the offending 1950s USA margarine.

A few months ago, when a school in Elazığ's Ağın district was being
repaired following the earthquake in Elazığ, seventy 2.5-kilogram cans
of  American margarine were found in the school's attic.  The
margarine was determined to have been part of the U.S. "Marshall
Plan" aid in the 1950s.

In the aftermath of World War II, the USA sent aid to devastated
European nations and to countries under Soviet threat by means
of the "Marshall Plan".   In 1948 Turkey accepted this aid but in the
1950s the aid became quite controversial when Dr. Osman Nuri
Koçtürk, a biochemical and food expert, began a fierce campaign
against the incoming American products and, in particular,
margarine, succeeding in having some of the products banned.

Dr. Koçtürk was known as 'Tarhana Osman' because of his
relentless support for 'tarhana' (a preparation made of dried curds
and flour) soup as a nourishing food.  He was first against dried
milk that came from America and when it was proven that the
product contained carcinogens its distribution was forbidden.


                          Evidently, the CIA wasn't a fan.

Next, American soy oil and margarine began to come so 'Tarhana'
Osman rolled up his sleeves and began telling anyone who would
listen that butter and olive oil were much more beneficial.  He
insisted that heart and artery illnesses would increase because of
margarine and spread this word via his articles, books and
conference appearances.

Dr. Koçtürk was an enthusiastic proponent of traditional
nourishment, especially 'tarhana' soup,  and advised everyone to
steer clear of soy and margarine.  He did his graduate work in
the USA and left us more than 50 books and other publications.
For some reason, he was never made a full professor.  He died
at the age of 76.  A bust was erected in his place of birth, Karşıyaka,
Izmir.


Ağın, upper left, is separated from the rest of Elazığ province 
by the Keban Dam's waters. Note the reach of USA aid!