Turkey: Children with genetic disorder taste baklava

By Rauf Maltas

SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) - Children suffering from a genetic disorder have tasted the Turkish dessert baklava for the first time in their lives.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disease widespread among children in Turkey's Sanliurfa, a province known for its traditional desserts.

Sanliurfa Phenylketonuria Association (SUPKU) agreed with a baklava master to produce baklava specially made for children with PKU.

Their request being fulfilled, the children visited the baklava shop to taste the special baklava with gluten-free flour and chestnuts.

One of the children, Zeliha Gunes, told Anadolu Agency that she lives with difficulties as she can only consume a limited variety of dishes.

"In my life of 16 years, I never had the opportunity to eat out," Gunes said, adding that she had the luxury of eating baklava for the first time in her life and that it was delicious.

Ahmet Giray, another child with PKU, said it was the first time he ate a dessert in his life.

He added that last year, he had been left out when he went to a restaurant with his classmates and couldn't eat anything.

SUPKU head Mustafa Ciftci said the 130 children suffering from PKU, a genetic and metabolic disease, in Sanliufra could not eat out.

"Because everything has to be prepared specially," Ciftci said.

Baklava master Mehmet Avci said there was much demand for the special dessert across Turkey.