News

First Public Food Notice of the New Year Published

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that laboratory analyses of samples taken during 2025 inspections identified 121 food products that endanger health, while 1,208 products were found to be counterfeit or adulterated. In line with the Ministry’s transparency principle, these products were disclosed in the “Public Food Notice” section of its website. The first public food notice of 2026 has now been published in the same section. The Ministry says its work to prevent consumers from being misled will continue with the same determination at every stage of the farm-to-fork supply chain.

Ministry Pledges Continued Food Safety Work for 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says it will maintain its zero-tolerance food inspections at every stage of the farm-to-fork chain in 2026. Consumers are advised to shop at registered businesses, check labels and expiry dates, and avoid packages that are swollen, torn or leaking. To protect the cold chain, red meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, deli products and frozen goods should be picked up last while shopping, with refrigerators kept at 0-4 °C and freezers at -18 °C or below. At home, raw and cooked foods should be handled with separate boards and knives, and cooked dishes should not be left at room temperature but divided into small portions and chilled quickly. Suspicious situations can be reported through the ALO 174 food line or the Güvenilir Gıda mobile app.

Food Allergy and Food Intolerance

A food allergy is a reaction of the immune system to a particular food, ranging from mild symptoms such as itching and rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Food intolerance, by contrast, is a physiological response in the digestive system that can appear as abdominal pain, bloating or diarrhoea. Lactose intolerance, the most common form, develops when the enzyme lactase that breaks down lactose in the small intestine is missing or insufficient, leaving milk sugar undigested. Turkish regulations require substances and products that cause allergies or intolerances to be highlighted on food labels, clearly distinguished from the rest of the ingredient list. Reading labels correctly therefore lets people with allergies or intolerances make safe choices.

24 July 2026

Ministry clarifies when food labels may say "natural"

Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has set out when the word "natural" may appear on a food label. A food qualifies only if it consists of a single ingredient, contains no additives or flavourings, and has undergone nothing beyond physical, enzymatic or microbiological processing. Milk, honey, eggs, coffee, tea, extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and kefir may carry the claim when those conditions are met. Wordings such as "100% natural", "truly natural" or "the most natural" are banned as misleading. If the product as a whole fails the criteria, the claim cannot be made even for one of its ingredients.

Ministry announces June 2026 food inspection figures

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry carried out 127,643 official food inspections across Türkiye in June 2026. The inspections resulted in 2,327 administrative sanctions, and criminal complaints were filed against 32 food business operators. Administrative fines totalled roughly 242.8 million TL. The ministry publishes its inspection figures regularly.

30 June 2026

Turkish chain restaurants must now display ingredient and calorie information

Under a new regulation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, national chain establishments in Türkiye must display ingredient and calorie information for the food and drinks they serve before customers order, starting 1 July 2026. The information can be provided on menus, wall boards, digital screens or QR codes on tables. The goal is to help consumers with allergen sensitivities, special diets or nutrition preferences make informed choices. Shortcomings can be reported via the ministry's mobile app or the ALO 174 food hotline.

29 June 2026

Ministry warns against "dragon's breath" treats made with liquid nitrogen

The ministry has warned against "dragon's breath" style treats popularized on social media, which produce smoke from the mouth when eaten. The liquid nitrogen used for the visual effect (around -196°C) can, if residues remain in the product, cause cold burns in the mouth and on the tongue, dental damage and injuries to the throat and airways; if swallowed, it can seriously damage the esophagus and stomach. The ministry deems serving food with liquid nitrogen added at the point of consumption unacceptable and asks consumers to report such vendors via its mobile app. Particular caution is advised for children.

29 June 2026

Ministry Warning on "Dragon's Breath" Products

Products sold as "dragon's breath" that make smoke appear to come out of the mouth and nose have been spreading on social media and at some retail points, drawing particular interest from children and young people. The effect comes from liquid nitrogen at roughly -196 degrees Celsius; although liquid nitrogen has legitimate technological uses in food production, residues reaching the final consumer pose serious health risks. International risk assessment bodies note cold burns to the mouth and tongue, dental damage, and injuries to the throat and airways, while swallowing incompletely evaporated liquid nitrogen can severely damage the oesophagus, stomach and digestive tract. Turkey's Directorate General of Food and Control stated that serving food to end consumers with liquid nitrogen added is not considered acceptable and that official controls on these products are continuing. Consumers who encounter such sales or service are asked to report it through the Güvenilir Gıda mobile application.

18 June 2026

Barbecue food safety: five basic rules from the ministry

The ministry's barbecue-season reminders: (1) Wash hands before grilling and after touching raw meat; keep surfaces clean. (2) Never use the plate, tongs or cutting board used for raw meat with cooked food (cross-contamination). (3) Chicken and minced-meat products in particular must be cooked through. (4) Serve cooked food promptly; do not leave it at ambient temperature for long. (5) Thaw frozen products in the refrigerator or microwave, not at room temperature.

9 June 2026

Turkish households discard 10.8 million tonnes of food a year

According to TÜİK figures shared by the ministry, roughly half of Türkiye's waste is food waste, and 70-80% of it comes from households; 2024 estimates put household food waste at 10.8 million tonnes a year (about 124 kg per person). The main causes are spoilage (72.3%), expired shelf life (12.2%) and buying more than needed (8%). The most wasted items are fresh fruit and vegetables (40.1%), bread (32%) and dairy products (14.3%). While 673 million people worldwide face hunger, cutting global food loss and waste by just a quarter could save enough food for them.

8 May 2026

Ministry calls for action on food waste: responsibility at every link of the chain

Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry points out that millions of tonnes of food are wasted worldwide every year, causing economic losses and putting pressure on natural resources. According to the ministry, a large share of this waste occurs in households, while losses at restaurants, supermarkets and other retail outlets, as well as during production, processing, transport and storage, also make up a significant part of the total. Planning meals, shopping with a list and buying only what is needed, using up leftovers and storing food under suitable conditions are listed as the main measures for reducing waste. The ministry also stresses that knowing the difference between the “use by” and “best before” dates on labels helps prevent unnecessary disposal, and recommends passing surplus food that is still edible on to people in need.

25 March 2026

Ministry launches "Güvenilir Gıda" (Trusted Food) mobile app

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched its Güvenilir Gıda (Trusted Food) mobile app to increase transparency in food inspections. Users can view establishments' latest inspection dates, look up businesses by scanning a QR code, and access up-to-date lists of adulterated products. A "snap-and-send" feature lets citizens report violations with photos and location, and track the status of their reports in the app.

16 March 2026

Food Inspections Continue Without Pause During Ramadan

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that official controls at food production, retail and mass catering businesses are being intensified throughout Ramadan. Inspectors check hygiene, storage conditions, label information and expiry dates across many product groups, especially bread and pide, desserts and pastry products, and meat and dairy products. Samples are taken for laboratory analysis where necessary, and Ramadan food parcels are also examined for their contents, labelling and expiry dates. The Ministry restated its zero tolerance approach to food safety and reminded consumers that complaints can be reported through the Alo 174 Food Line.

26 February 2026

Ministry: the world produces enough food, the real problem is waste

Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry underlines that the world produces enough food to meet the nutritional needs of all of humanity. Even so, millions of people cannot access sufficient food while a significant share of what is produced is wasted. The ministry states that this picture can be changed and that preventing food waste is a responsibility shared by everyone.

10 February 2026

How are food supplements inspected from production to sale?

According to the ministry, food supplements are subject to risk-based official controls across the entire supply chain — production sites, points of sale and imports — with samples taken and analysed where necessary. Violations can result in administrative fines, product recalls and, where warranted, criminal complaints. Misleading supplement advertising on radio, TV and the internet is also monitored and referred to the relevant authorities. Non-compliant sales and promotions can be reported via the ALO 174 hotline or the ministry's mobile app.

9 February 2026

Four rules for the safe use of plastic food containers

The ministry's guidance on plastic food containers: (1) Look for the glass-and-fork symbol, a "suitable for food contact" statement or wording that specifies the intended use. (2) Do not reuse single-use plastics — washing and heat degrade the material and increase the risk of substances migrating into food. (3) Follow the microwave, temperature and dishwasher instructions; using containers outside those conditions can damage the plastic. (4) Never expose plastic containers to open flame or high-heat sources.

6 February 2026

Ministry: pork-derived additives and enzymes are banned in food in Türkiye

According to the ministry, Turkish regulations prohibit the use of pork and pork-derived components in foods, food additives, enzymes and flavourings. The ban applies to both domestically produced and imported products and is enforced through official controls; imported foods are checked for compliance at the border. Substances such as L-cysteine produced from human hair or certain animal sources — debated in the past — are likewise not permitted for import or use as food additives.

22 January 2026

Food supplements are not medicines: ministry advice on informed use

Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry defines food supplements as products intended to supplement the normal diet, containing concentrated vitamins, minerals or other substances with a nutritional effect. They are not an alternative to an adequate and balanced diet, and most people can obtain the nutrients they need from normal eating habits. It is prohibited to market supplements as if they made people lose or gain weight, increased height, boosted sexual performance, helped quit smoking, or prevented, treated or cured diseases. Sold as tablets, capsules, lozenges, powders and liquids, these products must be used according to the instructions and warnings on the label, without exceeding the recommended daily dose. Whether a product is approved can be checked from the “Approved Food Supplements List” section at ggbs.tarim.gov.tr.

19 January 2026

Sweet Smell, One Small Secret: Don’t Taste Raw Dough

Türkiye’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry warns against the common habit of tasting raw cake or cookie dough. Flour and raw eggs can carry harmful microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, so eating unbaked dough increases the risk of food poisoning. The Ministry advises baking cakes and cookies fully, as the recipe requires. Washing hands, kitchen utensils and work surfaces thoroughly after contact with dough, flour or eggs is listed among the basic precautions.

13 January 2026

A Hidden Danger Beside Spinach: Inspect Every Bunch

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry warns that harmful wild plants growing in spinach fields can end up mixed into the product during harvesting, bundling and preparation for sale. Because some of these weeds look similar to spinach, eating them unnoticed can cause serious health problems. Consumers are asked to examine spinach bunch by bunch, stem by stem and leaf by leaf before cooking, and to discard any piece whose shape, colour or vein structure looks different. Spinach and other fresh produce should be bought from registered, reliable points of sale. In case of a suspicious product or possible poisoning symptoms, call the 112 emergency line; food safety reports can be filed via the ALO 174 food line or the Güvenilir Gıda mobile app.

29 December 2025

Common Misconceptions About Counterfeit and Smuggled Alcohol

The Ministry published guidance correcting widespread misconceptions about counterfeit and smuggled alcohol. It stresses that methanol cannot be identified by colour, taste or smell, and that the two alcohols cannot be told apart without advanced laboratory equipment. Symptoms of poisoning may appear only hours later or even the following day, and even low doses can cause lasting damage to the nervous system and organs. Prices far below the market average, and products sold online as ethyl alcohol, are described as risky; purchases should be made only from licensed and inspected sellers. Anyone with suspicious symptoms should call 112, while reports can be made to the Alo 174 Food Line or the police.

23 December 2025

Warning against unauthorized sale of plant protection products

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reminded producers that plant protection products must be bought only from dealers holding an authorization certificate. Buying from licensed dealers is critical for correct use, traceability and a safe food chain. Producers are asked to check the dealer's certificate before purchase and to report unauthorized sellers to provincial and district agriculture directorates.

18 December 2025

Ministry issues safety advice on herbal teas

The ministry shared safety advice on herbal teas, which are popular especially in winter: avoid mixed herbal teas with unclear content or unknown origin, follow the preparation instructions on the label, and remember that "natural" or "herbal" does not always mean safe. People on regular medication, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children should consult a doctor first, and prolonged, high-volume consumption should be avoided.

15 December 2025

Food Safety and Hygiene in Poultry Meat

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reports that every stage of the poultry meat chain, from production to consumption, is inspected. Because unbroken cold chain is the core requirement for poultry safety, logistics, storage and retail processes are audited regularly. Under the regulations, cutting up chicken and other poultry is allowed only in Ministry-approved establishments; doing so in unapproved or unlicensed places is prohibited and subject to administrative sanctions. Raw poultry must be sold pre-packaged at retail and handed to the consumer with the packaging intact, so chicken sold loose, from an opened package or left waiting on the counter is against the rules, although the package may be opened and portioned in front of the customer on request. In mass catering, döner prepared from raw poultry has a maximum retail shelf life of 12 hours once cooking has started.

2 December 2025

Warning against "miracle" food products sold online

The ministry warned consumers not to trust products sold on social media with unfounded claims such as "slimming, weight-gaining, performance-boosting or height-increasing" effects. The ministry approves no such claims, and these products may contain pharmaceutical active substances that endanger health. Suspicious products can be reported to the ALO 174 Food Line or via the Güvenilir Gıda mobile app.

24 November 2025

Every Step of the Food Chain Under Control

The General Directorate of Food and Control describes food safety as a holistic system covering production, processing, storage and distribution. The system relies on continuous monitoring through modern analytical methods, traceability practices and risk-based control processes. Running it effectively matters both for protecting public health and for guaranteeing consumers uninterrupted access to safe food. The resulting “farm to fork” approach is built on science-based inspection, strong monitoring programmes and risk-assessment-driven management at every step of the chain. The Directorate states that it follows the journey from producer to consumer in line with national standards and international scientific methods.

29 August 2025

Foods Are Analysed in Laboratories to Protect Public Health

The Ministry shared a note underlining that food control laboratories are one of the core elements of the food safety system. Samples collected from businesses by control officers are transported to the laboratories under the required precautions. Specialist staff and modern instruments are used to analyse whether products comply with legislation. Where non-compliance is found, the Ministry states that the necessary legal action is taken without delay.

25 August 2025

Whole-wheat bread campaign launched in Konya

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Health launched a pilot whole-wheat bread campaign in Konya to steer the public toward more fibrous, nutritious bread. Guiding target fibre values were set for whole-wheat flour and bread, to be monitored and reported by the provincial directorate. The resulting indicators are intended to serve as groundwork for future regulation.

12 August 2025

July 2025 Domestic Inspection Figures for Food Businesses Released

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported a total of 105,810 domestic official controls at food businesses during July 2025. The inspections resulted in 2,519 administrative sanctions, and criminal complaints were filed with the public prosecutor against 29 food business operators. Controls covered 16,278 production sites, 42,015 retail outlets and 47,517 mass catering premises, with administrative fines for the month totalling 207,373,359 Turkish lira. According to the Ministry, the number of inspections in the January to July 2025 period rose by 0.6 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.

8 August 2025

QR-code requirement for food establishments now in force

With an amendment to the regulation on official controls of food and feed, food retailers such as markets, butchers and greengrocers, and mass-consumption venues such as restaurants, cafés and canteens must display their establishment QR code where consumers can see it, as of 28 July 2025. Scanning the code shows the establishment's registration details. Businesses can generate their QR-code document at guvenilirgida.tarimorman.gov.tr.

10 July 2025

Food safety at the beach: ministry tips for holidaymakers

The Directorate General of Food and Control warned holidaymakers who take food to the beach against foodborne illness. The advice includes taking only as much food as will be eaten, carrying cold and hot foods separately, preserving the cold chain with ice packs and cooler bags, keeping the bag out of direct sunlight, and minding hand hygiene. Leftovers that cannot be stored at a proper temperature may pose a risk.

7 July 2025

June 2025 Food Inspection Data: 104,733 Official Controls

Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported 104,733 domestic official controls at food businesses in June 2025. The inspections resulted in 1,989 administrative sanctions, criminal complaints against 28 food business operators and administrative fines totalling 154,672,955 TRY. Catering establishments accounted for 44.6 percent of the checks, retail food outlets for 39.9 percent and production sites for 15.5 percent. Monthly inspections rose 15.6 percent year on year, while the January-June total of 625,758 controls was 3.6 percent above the same period of 2024.

20 May 2025

Foodborne Illnesses: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

The Ministry published a detailed guide on foodborne illnesses based on the World Health Organization definition, noting that more than 200 distinct foodborne diseases have been identified. Most cases are infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, with Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus listed among the leading agents. Incubation can range from a few hours to a week, and symptoms usually appear as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, which are sometimes mistaken for flu. Infants, young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are identified as the sensitive risk groups. The guide recalls that bacteria multiply rapidly in the danger zone between 4 and 60 degrees Celsius and recommends five steps: keep clean, separate raw and cooked food, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.

15 May 2025

Label Reading Habits: Use-By Date Versus Best-Before Date

The Ministry issued guidance explaining two date types that consumers often confuse. The use-by date applies to foods that spoil easily in microbiological terms and may quickly pose a health risk; selling products past this date is prohibited by legislation. The best-before date indicates how long a food keeps its sensory qualities such as freshness, taste and aroma when stored properly, and products past this date may remain on sale if they show no signs of spoilage, with responsibility resting on the food business operator. The text also lists the information that must appear on prepacked food labels under the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labelling and Consumer Information dated 26 January 2017. These include the name of the food, the ingredient list, allergen declaration, net quantity, storage conditions, establishment registration number, country of origin, batch number and nutrition declaration.

12 May 2025

Food Labelling Rules and the 14 Allergen Groups That Must Be Declared

The Ministry shared an explainer summarising the purpose and scope of food labelling legislation. The rules set the conditions for written and visual information and for the terms used in labelling, promotion, presentation and advertising, so that consumers are informed correctly and not misled. The scope covers all foods intended for the final consumer, foods prepared for mass catering establishments and foods supplied between food business operators, and separate rules govern nutrition claims. The text lists 14 ingredient groups that must be declared as allergens when used in production and present in the final product, even in altered form: cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulphur dioxide and sulphites, lupin and molluscs, together with products derived from them.

7 May 2025

Türkiye joins EFSA's Safe2Eat campaign

Safe2Eat, the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) communication campaign to raise food-safety awareness, expanded to 23 countries in 2025, and Türkiye's Directorate General of Food and Control has joined it. Türkiye will run consumer-information activities on priority themes such as food additives, food allergens, foodborne diseases and label-reading habits.

19 March 2025

Bag Raw Meat and Seafood Separately While Shopping

The Ministry issued a practical warning aimed at preventing cross contamination during grocery shopping. It advises placing prepacked raw red meat, poultry and seafood in a separate bag before putting them in the shopping basket. This stops any liquid leaking from the packaging from touching other foods. Keeping the same separation when bagging at the checkout reduces the risk of contaminating fruit, vegetables and ready-to-eat foods.

11 March 2025

Check Storage Conditions Before You Buy

The Ministry reminds consumers to pay attention to storage conditions when shopping for food. The storage instructions printed on the label should be read, and shoppers should make sure the product is offered for sale under those conditions. Checking the temperature displays of refrigerators and freezers is also recommended. Food kept at the wrong temperature can spoil and may pose a health risk when consumed.

6 March 2025

Read the Label When Buying Food

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry advises shoppers to read food labels carefully before buying. For microbiologically perishable products such as pasteurised milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter and meat products, the use by date should always be checked. Allergen warnings on the packaging should also be reviewed, as they help people with food sensitivities avoid possible risks.

24 February 2025

Türkiye Runs 41 Public and 101 Private Food Control Laboratories

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has set out the scale of the laboratory network behind food safety controls in Türkiye. A total of 41 public laboratories and 101 private food control laboratories are actively in service across the country. According to the Ministry, continuous inspections combined with analyses carried out in these laboratories keep the safety of food reaching consumers under close scrutiny.