Country of Origin Requirements
In Türkiye, country of origin labelling is primarily governed by the Turkish Food Codex Labelling Regulation (Official Gazette No. 29960, 2017), which closely follows Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011. Origin labelling is mandatory where its omission could mislead the consumer, particularly where the origin of the primary ingredient differs from the declared origin of the product, or where product-specific rules require it.
For certain categories, including beef, poultry, honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables, specific origin labelling requirements apply under sector-specific codex regulations. For processed foods, the general principle applies: if the indicated country of origin is not the true origin of the primary ingredient, the origin of that ingredient must also be declared.
Türkiye is not a member of the European Union and operates its own regulatory framework. However, Turkish food law has been substantially aligned with EU food law as part of Türkiye’s ongoing harmonisation process. International businesses should note that products compliant with EU origin labelling rules will not automatically satisfy Turkish requirements, and a separate compliance assessment is advisable.
Vegetarian and Vegan Foods
Turkish food law does not provide a binding legal definition of the terms vegan or vegetarian as applied to food products. The general prohibition on misleading labelling under the Turkish Food Codex Food Labelling and Consumer Information Regulation applies in full. Any claim made on a product must be truthful, verifiable, and not misleading to consumers.
Although the terms themselves are not statutorily defined, the practical framework is far from open. The Turkish Food Codex Food Labelling and Consumer Information Regulation Guidance, first issued in November 2024 and most recently revised in March 2026, sets out detailed rules on how vegan and vegetarian claims may be presented. These rules are applied in official controls and shape what is acceptable in the Turkish market today.
For businesses operating in this category, a few areas deserve particular attention. The naming of plant-based products that resemble dairy or meat products is subject to specific restrictions. The visual presentation of vegan and vegetarian claims, including font size, placement, and contrast, is regulated. The use of cautionary statements regarding cross-contact with animal-origin ingredients is narrower than many international exporters expect.
Businesses using such claims should ensure that they are substantiated, consistent with the applicable guidance, and supported by full ingredient transparency, including processing aids and additives of potential animal origin.
Fortification of Foods
The fortification of food products in Türkiye is regulated primarily by the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on the Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Certain Other Substances to Foods, which is broadly aligned with Regulation (EC) No. 1925/2006. Only vitamins and minerals listed in the annexes to the regulation may be added to food, and only in the permitted forms specified.
A key distinction from the EU framework is that Türkiye operates its own maximum levels for certain nutrients. These levels are set centrally within the codex system. Compliance therefore requires verification against Turkish limits, which may differ from those applicable in the EU.
Nutrient content claims and health claims related to fortification are subject to the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims, which broadly follows Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 but includes Türkiye-specific requirements. Claims must be authorised, and only permitted claims may be used. Compliance is not determined by the ingredient alone — it is determined by the regulatory system in which the product is placed on the market.
Cannabis / CBD as an Ingredient in Food or Supplements
Türkiye’s regulatory framework for cannabis-derived products has undergone significant development in recent years and remains subject to further evolution. The key principle for international businesses is this: in Türkiye, it is product classification, rather than THC level alone, that determines the applicable legal regime.
A new regulatory framework has been introduced, including the Regulation on Cannabis-Derived Products (Official Gazette, 31 January 2026, No. 33154), covering medicinal products, health products, personal care products and support products derived from cannabis. Agricultural production remains under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, while licensing, registration and sales authorisation fall within the remit of the Ministry of Health and the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK).
Medicinal cannabis products require a TİTCK licence and may only be supplied through pharmacies on prescription. Health and support products are subject to licensing or registration requirements. Cosmetic products must be notified to TİTCK prior to market entry.
CBD-containing food products present a more complex position. At present, no clear and established authorisation pathway exists within the food category, and placing such products on the market carries significant legal risk.
International authorisations, including EU Novel Food approvals, are not automatically recognised in Türkiye. Türkiye operates as a separate regulatory jurisdiction, and compliance must be assessed accordingly. Secondary regulations and administrative guidance continue to evolve, requiring ongoing monitoring.
Halal certification
Türkiye is home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, yet halal certification operates on a voluntary basis. There is no statutory obligation to certify food products as halal. In practice, however, halal certification is increasingly expected in certain retail segments, and export markets often require it.
Under the current regulatory framework, any product marketed with a halal claim in Türkiye must be certified by a body accredited by the Halal Accreditation Authority (HAK), the sole public authority responsible for accrediting halal conformity assessment bodies in Türkiye, established under Law No. 7060.
International businesses should note that halal certificates obtained abroad are not automatically recognised in Türkiye. Recognition depends on whether the issuing body holds HAK accreditation or is otherwise recognised under the HAK accreditation system. Türkiye operates as a distinct regulatory jurisdiction, and compliance must be assessed accordingly.
Assessing halal compliance requires a case-by-case approach. The product, the origin of its ingredients, the target market, and the intended certification body all shape the outcome. The regulatory framework provides the structure, but it is the detail that determines the result.
