Turkey has updated rules for the certain sales operations of the local food establishments. These rules apply to retail food establishments selling food products which originated from animals, such as meat, fish and dairy products. The rules primarily relate to record keeping and operational requirements for such establishments.
The rules apply to raw meat, ground meat as part of meat and meat products, milk and dairy products (except raw milk, drinking milk, colostrum, colostrum based products, raw cream and clotted cream), and any fish and fisheries.
The Regulation on the Organization of the Local, Marginal and Limited Operations of Foods Establishments (“Regulation”) was published in Official Gazette number 29782 on 26 June 2016, coming into force on the same date.
Any retailer wishing to operate locally, marginally and limitedly must apply to the provincial directorate or district directorate of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. Applicants must also provide:
- The establishment’s registry number.
- Information about the food of animal origin, which will be sold in the operation.
- A letter of undertaking stating that the establishment will act in accordance with the related regulations.
Retailers must maintain below records and have these available for inspection, regarding:
- Supply and demand for foods originating from animals.
- Hygeine.
- The amount of food originating from animals which is sold to other retailers.
The latest Regulation abolishes the earlier Communiqué on the Organization of the Local, Marginal and Limited Operations of Foods Establishments (Communique No: 2014/52).
Please see this link for the full text of the Regulation (only available in Turkish).
