Türkiye Food Regulation

1. Competent authorities

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF)

MoAF is the primary authority responsible for food safety and regulation in Türkiye, overseeing food safety policy, legislative implementation, official controls, and enforcement.

General Directorate of Food and Control (GDFC)

Operating under MoAF, the GDFC is the key body responsible for drafting and issuing food regulations and communiqués, conducting food safety risk assessment and risk management, performing official inspections, and managing import and export food controls.

Provincial directorates of MoAF

Provincial directorates of MoAF carry out food safety inspections and enforcement activities at the regional and local levels.

2. Regulatory framework

Türkiye has established a comprehensive food regulatory system that is largely aligned with the European Union (EU) acquis communautaire, which reflects its long-standing harmonization efforts under the EU accession process. The framework is built on a fundamental law, supported by a dual-layer structure consisting of horizontal regulations and vertical communiqués.

2.1 Fundamental legislation

Law No. 5996 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed

This law forms the legal basis for all food safety measures in Türkiye. It covers the entire food chain, including production, processing, storage, distribution, food contact materials, and the residue/contaminant monitoring and controls, etc.

2.2 Horizontal regulations

Horizontal regulations establish general rules applicable to all foods, regardless of product category. Key regulations include:

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2.3 Vertical communiqués

Vertical communiqués set product-specific standards, defining product identity, composition, and conditions for marketing under a specific name. Examples include

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3. Market access

3.1 Overseas facility registration

Türkiye does not impose a general pre-registration requirement on all foreign food manufacturers. However, according to the Regulation on Specific Rules for the Official Controls on Products of Animal Origin, specific animal-derived products are restricted to products originating from authorized countries and approved establishments

Türkiye largely aligns its approved establishment list with the EU-approved establishment list. Where a facility is not included in the EU list, the competent authority of the exporting country must officially submit a list of establishments to Türkiye MoAF for assessment under the approval guideline.

Relevant references include:

3.2 Importer registration

Importers must be legal entities established in Türkiye and hold a tax identification number. Importers are required to register in the GGBS (Gıda Güvenliği Bilgi Sistemi - Food Safety Information System) operated by MoAF.

During registration, the importer must declare overseas manufacturers by providing facility details and approval numbers (where applicable). Once approved, the importer will obtain a username and password for the GGBS system to perform pre-notifications for each shipment via GGBS.

3.3 Pre-market approval

Türkiye does not require product registration for most foods, except dietary supplements. Under the Regulation on the Import, Production, Processing, and Placing on the Market of Dietary Supplements, overseas dietary supplements must obtain product approval prior to importation

The food business operator (importer) should submit an application to the MoAF with required information including:

Commercial brand and product name
Percentage composition (ingredient) list;
Specification document;
Recommended daily intake dose;
A written undertaking stating that HACCP and/or GMP is implemented at the establishment where the dietary supplement is manufactured;
In cases of contract manufacturing, the contract manufacturing agreement;
For botanicals that are included in the positive list and permitted for use in dietary supplements: the botanical name, Latin name, and the part used;
Company's own domain name and website URL(s), if any;
Written undertakings stating that no unlawful advertising or promotion is conducted
Any additional document if required by the MoAF.

3.4 Control certificate

Pursuant to the Communiqué on the Approval of Control Certificates in the Importation of Animal Products and the Documents Required to Be Submitted at the Importation Stage,importation of designated animal-derived products(such as meat, dairy, etc.)require a "Control Certificate" prior to importation. The importer must submit an application to the MoAF with supporting documents such as proforma invoice, sample veterinary health certificate, ingredient list, label draft and others specified in the Communiqué.

The control certificate is considered as pre-import permission, which confirms that the Turkish authorities have reviewed the technical specifications of the product and have granted permission for it to be brought into the country.

3.5 Pre-notification

All food imports to Türkiye are subject to pre-notification. Pursuant to the Regulation on Official Controls of Plant-Based Food and Feed Imports, and the Regulation on Pre-Notification and Veterinary Controls on Entry of Animals and Products into the Country, the importer shall submit an electronic pre-notification for each shipment via the GGBS system to the border control post or the provincial directorate, at least 3 working days before the product arrives at the entry port. Electronic copies of product certificates (free sale certificate, phytosanitary certificate, veterinary health certificate, control certificate, etc.) labels, ingredient lists, and any specific documents determined by the Ministry based on product characteristics shall be attached to the pre-notification.

The pre-notification will be examined by the authority within two working days. If the information and documents submitted in the pre-notification are in compliance with the legislation, the authority shall inform the importer of the date of official controls.

Official controls

On the date scheduled for official control, the importer must present the pre-notification form along with the original copies of all supporting documents to the relevant border control post or provincial directorate.

The compliance of imported food products shall be assessed through official controls which are implemented under different control regimes based on the nature of the product.

Veterinary Control: for animal-derived products, etc
Phytosanitary Control: for fresh agricultural products, etc
Food & Feed Safety Control: for highly processed food products

Official controls are carried out in three stages:

Document Control: Verifies whether the product complies with the Turkish Food Codex regulations based on submitted documentation.
Identity Control: Ensures that the product matches the information provided in the submitted documents.
Physical Control: Involves organoleptic inspection, packaging verification, sampling, and laboratory testing.

For products that meet all requirements, a conformity letter is issued to both the customs authority and the importer.

3.6 Customs Formalities

After successful completion of official controls, the importer may proceed with customs clearance by submitting an import declaration to the relevant customs office. The customs authority conducts its own assessment, including risk evaluation, tariff classification, valuation, and verification of origin. Once all requirements are satisfied and applicable duties and taxes are paid, the goods are released for circulation in Türkiye.

4. Product standard

4.1 Product-specific standards and specifications

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4.2 Food hygiene standards

5. Food additive usage requirements

The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives governs the use of food additives in Türkiye. It defines food additive functional classes and permitted food additive names, categorizes foods, and prescribes maximum usage levels with specific usage conditions. The Regulation also identifies foods in which food additives are prohibited and lists certain food additives that are not permitted in specific traditional foods. Notably, this Regulation does not cover food enzymes, food flavorings, nutrient fortifiers, or processing aids.

The Regulation include six annexes.

Annex I: Food additives functional classes

1	Sweeteners	15	Foaming agents
2	Colors	16	Gelling agents
3	Preservatives	17	Glazing agents
4	Antioxidants	18	Humectants
5	Carriers	19	Modified starches
6	Acids	20	Packaging gases
7	Acidity regulators	21	Propellants
8	Anti-caking agent	22	Raising agents
9	Anti-foaming agents	23	Sequestrants
10	Bulking agents	24	Stabilizers
11	Emulsifiers	25	Thickeners
12	Emulsifying salts	26	Flour treatment agents
13	Firming agents	27	Contrast enhancers
14	Flavor enhancers

Annex II: Food additives permitted for use in foods and their respective usage conditions. Specifically, this annex details

Names and E codes of food additives, as well as food additive groups with similar technical functions
Usage levels and restrictions for food additives in different food categories.
Food categories in which the presence of food additives is prohibited
Restrictions on the sale of food additives directly to the final consumer

Example: food additives permitted for use in food category (01.1): Unflavored pasteurized and sterilized (including UHT) milk

E code	Food additive name	Maximum level (mg/l, mg/kg)	Note	Restrictions/Exceptions
E 331	Sodium citrates	4,000		Only UHT goat milk
E 338-452	Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates	1,000	Food additives may be used individually or in combination The maximum level is calculated as P₂O₅.	Only sterilized and UHT milk

Annex III: Food additives, including carriers, authorized for use in food additives, food enzymes, food flavorings, and nutrients (intended to be used in foods for infants and young children), along with their conditions of use

Annex IV: Traditional foods produced in certain EU member states and categories of food additives prohibited for use in these products

Annex V: Additional labeling information required for foods containing certain colors

Annex VI: Certain food products in which the use of additives is prohibited

The usage of food enzymes and food flavorings is regulated separately under:

Importantly, a food additive that is not listed, or a listed additive for which there is a significant change in manufacturing process or starting materials, is considered a different food additive. Such food additives must undergo new authorization and inclusion in accordance with the Regulation on the Common Authorisation Procedure for Food Additives, Food Enzymes and Food Flavourings.

6. Labeling

The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labeling and Consumer Information establishes the general labeling requirements for prepackaged foods intended for both final consumers and catering establishments. Labels must provide information that is accurate, clear, and easily understood by consumers. They must not claim or imply that a product can prevent, treat, or cure any human disease. An imported food product may arrive at border in its original package, but a legible and indelible Turkish-language sticker label must be affixed before the product is circulated in market.

6.1 Mandatory labeling items

Name of the food
Ingredient list
Net quantity of the food
Date of minimum durability or the "use by" date
Nutrition declaration
Country of origin
Name or trade name and address of the food business operator(importer for imported foods)
Facility registration number or identification mark(identification mark required for imported animal-origin foods)
Lot number
Food approval number if applicable (dietary supplement)
Allergens if applicable
Quantity of certain emphasized ingredients or categories of ingredients if applicable
Any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use if applicable
Instructions for use where it would be difficult to make appropriate use of the food in the absence of such instructions
Alcoholic strength for beverage containing over 1.2% alcohol by volume
Additional information if applicable (e.g., foods containing sweeteners, foods containing glycyrrhizinic acid or its ammonium salt, beverages with high caffeine content, etc.)

6.2 Nutrition declaration

The nutrition declaration must include the following mandatory nutrient information:

Energy value.
Amounts of fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, and salt.

(For alcoholic beverage containing over 1.2% alcohol by volume, only the energy value may be required.)

The declaration may additionally include one or more of the following nutrients:

Monounsaturates.
Polyunsaturates.
Fiber.
Polyols or sugar alcohol.
Starch.
Vitamins and minerals

(For vitamins and minerals to be declared on the label, their content must be at least 15% of the reference intake value per 100 g or 100 ml for non-beverage products, or 7.5% of reference intake value per 100 ml for beverages.)

Presentation of the nutrition declaration

Enerji ve besin öğeleri (Energy and nutrients)	Per 100 g or 100 mL
Enerji (Energy)	(kj and kcal)
Yağ (Fat)	(g)
- Doymuş yağ (Saturates)	(g)
- Trans yağ (Trans fat)	(g)
- Tekli doymamış yağ (Monounsaturates)	(g)
- Çoklu doymamış yağ (Polyunsaturates)	(g)
Karbonhidrat (Carbohydrate)	(g)
- Şekerler (Sugars)	(g)
- Polioller (Polyols)	(g)
- Nişasta (Starch)	(g)
Lif (Fiber)	(g)
Protein (Protein)	(g)
Tuz (Salt)	(g)
Vitaminler (Vitamins)	Specific unit accordingly
Mineraller (Minerals)	Specific unit accordingly

More detailed labeling requirements can be found in the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labeling and Consumer Information.

Requirements for nutrition and health claims are specified in

Additional product-specific labeling requirements can be found in relevant product-specific standards and specification Communiqués, such as those for infant and follow-on formulas.

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