Turkey

Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Specifications for Food Additives was notified in G/SPS/N/TUR/76 (7 October 2016) and as of this date, some amendments were made.This time amendments have been made in order to align our national legislation with European Commission Regulation (EU) No. 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The regulation introduces amendments to the specifications and purity criteria of certain food additives. In particular, specifications have been established for buffered vinegar (E 267) and trimagnesium dicitrate (E 345(i)) as newly authorized food additives, as well as for steviol glycosides (E 960b). Amendments have been made to the purity criteria, including loss on drying, arsenic, lead and mercury, for nitrites (E 249–250) and nitrates (E 251–252). Stearyl tartrate (E 483) has been deleted from the Regulation, as it is to be removed from the list of authorized food additives. Furthermore, the definition and purity criteria of propyl gallate (E 310), sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) have been amended. In addition, the specifications of certain cellulose-based food additives, namely cellulose (E 460), methyl cellulose (E 461), ethyl cellulose (E 462), hydroxypropyl cellulose (E 463), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E 464), ethyl methyl cellulose (E 465), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (cellulose gum, E 466), cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and cross-linked cellulose gum (E 468), and enzymatically hydrolysed carboxymethyl cellulose and enzymatically hydrolysed cellulose gum (E 469), have been amended with respect to their definitions, identification criteria and purity requirements. The regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 18 January 2026, numbered 33141. The consolidated text of the Regulation can be found at Republic of Türkiye - Presidential Legislation Information System

Türkiye has established the "Approved Establishment System of the Republic of Türkiye" namely "TROIS" to compose a list of approved country/establishments for the export of foods of animal origin and other products subject to veterinary controls upon entry into the country. This system is notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/15/Add.1.It has been observed that some of the annexes referenced in the notification are not included in the notification itself. Kindly take this annex into consideration.

According to our national legislation, products with HS Code 12.12.99.95.00.14 (apricot, peach (including nectarine) and plum stones and kernels) are required to be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate for import.However, the importation of products under HS code 12.12.99.95.00.14 (excluding kernels) poses a plant health risk to Türkiye with respect to harmful organisms such as Plum pox potyvirus – Plum pox virus (PPV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), and Prune dwarf virus (PDV). Accordingly, it is intended to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms into Türkiye and their spread to production areas.As of 10 December 2025, Türkiye will require that the phytosanitary certificate accompanying the importation of products classified under HS Code 12.12.99.95.00.14 (excluding kernels) include the phytosanitary requirements detailed below in the additional declaration section, and that the necessary supplementary documents be provided.For the importation of the aforementioned products into Türkiye the additional declaration section of the plant health certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country must include the following additional information regarding the above-mentioned harmful organisms:- Additional information confirming that the product has been collected from pest-free areas or pest-free production sites, and- The product has been subjected to appropriate official tests and, based on laboratory analyses, has been confirmed to be free from harmful organisms.In addition, a document or certificate demonstrating that the product has undergone post-harvest drying/processing procedures in the country of origin must be provided.Furthermore, in the event of any suspicion regarding seed-transmissible harmful organisms such as PPV, CLRV, PNRSV, and PDV, laboratory analyses shall also be carried out upon their entry into Türkiye.Accordingly, the products classified under the HS Code mentioned above (except kernels) shall be returned or destroyed if any of the following conditions are met: they are not accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country containing the required additional declaration, they do not carry a document or certificate demonstrating that they have undergone post-harvest drying/processing procedures, or they are found non-compliant as a result of the phytosanitary inspection upon entry into Türkiye.

In accordance with the “Regulation on Specific Hygiene Rules for Food of Animal Origin” (G/SPS/N/TUR/12), the import of certain food of animal origin can be permitted only from the countries and establishments in the list prepared and updated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in accordance with the "Regulation Laying Down Specific Rules for The Official Controls on Foods of Animal Origin" (G/SPS/N/TUR/15). Türkiye has informed its trade partners via an official letter dated 19/08/2025 that as of 1 January 2026 certain animal products intended for human consumption; dairy products, fishery and aquaculture products, gelatin and collagen listed in Annex 1 of this notification the  intended for export to the Republic of Türkiye would be allowed for export only from establishments included in the approved country/establishment list. Türkiye now has established the “Approved Establishment System of the Republic of Türkiye” namely “TROIS”  to compose a list of approved country/establishments for the export of foods of animal origin and other products subject to veterinary controls upon entry into the country.  This system is accessible through the address “https://trois.tarimorman.gov.tr”.Türkiye requests the following documents from competent authority of exporting countries:- For establishments already registered in TRACES NT system; the table in Annex 2 and the checklist in Annex 3.- For establishments not registered in TRACES NT system; the table in Annex 4 and the establishment information form and checklist in Annex 5.- To ensure faster communication the contact details of the relevant person at competent authority as listed in Annex 6. The documents should be sent to the Ministry both via diplomatic way and email to hayvansalurunithalat@tarimorman.gov.tr. Following the verification of the documents and information submitted, establishments registered in the TRACES NT system will be added to the list directly, if deemed appropriate. Establishments not included in the TRACES NT system will be added to the list if the requested documents are submitted and if deemed appropriate following an on-site inspection.In case of a modification:-In the name/address information of establishments registered/unregistered in the TRACES NT system, -Removal of an establishment registered in the TRACES NT system or -Suspension/cancellation of the approval of an establishment not registered in the TRACES NT system.Competent authority of the exporting country  is requested to  inform the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry without any delay to ensure that necessary updates can be made as well on TROIS. As of 1 January 2026, veterinary health certificates should not be issued for the export of dairy products, fishery and aquaculture products, and gelatin and collagen for human consumption to Türkiye from countries/establishments not listed in TROIS system including those registered in the TRACES NT system.

This draft model veterinary health certificate has been prepared for the entry into Türkiye of products (other than live animal, semen and embryos in Annex 1 of the Regulation on Live Animals and Animal Products Subject to Veterinary Controls upon Entry into the Country (G/SPS/N/TUR/17/Add.2)) subject to veterinary controls intended for direct transit through Türkiye or for sending to another country/ship after temporary storage in Türkiye.