The Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Marks or Numbers Identifying the Lot to Which Foods Belong (Communiqué No. 2026/11) (“New Communiqué”) was published in the Official Gazette number 33193 on 11 March 2026 and entered into force on the same date. The New Communiqué restructures the rules governing the marking used to identify the lot to which foods belong and repeals the Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Marks or Numbers Identifying the Lot to Which Foods Belong (Communiqué No. 2012/7) (“Former Communiqué”).
The New Communiqué updates the legal basis of the regulation. While the Former Communiqué relied solely on the Turkish Food Codex Regulation, the New Communiqué additionally cites the Turkish Food Codex Food Labelling and Consumer Information Regulation as a legal basis. The alignment with European Union legislation has also been updated. The Communiqué states that it was prepared in line with Directive 2011/91/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on marks or indications identifying the lot to which a foodstuff belongs.
The New Communiqué expands the definitions section. In this context, the definitions of “food business operator”, “food producer”, and “lot/batch number or mark” were added. In addition, the definition of “lot” was revised in more detail, clarifying the scope of the concept in relation to production conditions, raw materials used, and product characteristics.
The provisions governing the determination of the lot number were also amended. Under the Former Communiqué, the lot number could be determined by the producer, manufacturer, packager, or, in the case of imported foods, the first seller within the country. Under the New Communiqué, the lot number must be determined and marked directly by the food producer.
The rule allowing date information on the label to be used as the lot number was also revised. The New Communiqué allows the production date, the recommended consumption date, or the use-by date to serve as the lot number under certain conditions. In such cases, however, the label or packaging must include the statement: “The lot/batch number is the production date/use-by date/recommended consumption date.”
The New Communiqué also introduces a record-keeping obligation for food business operators. Accordingly, food business operators must keep records demonstrating that the lot number or mark used on food labels or packaging complies with the definition of “lot” set out in the Communiqué and must submit these records to the Ministry upon request.
The New Communiqué also introduces a transitional provision. Food business operators covered by the Communiqué must comply with the new rules by 31 December 2026. After this date, foods that do not comply with the Communiqué may not be placed on the market. The same requirement applies to the labels of imported foods.
You can access the full text of the Communiqué at this link. (only Available in Turkish)
