Batch number requirement introduced for food labels

The Ministry has taken action to ensure food safety and protect consumer health and interests by preparing and submitting for public opinion the "Draft Communiqué on Marks or Numbers Identifying the Batch to Which Foodstuffs Belong under the Turkish Food Codex."

While establishing the procedures and principles regarding the marking that allows for the identification of the batch to which a food belongs (a set of sales units of a food produced, manufactured, or packaged under the same conditions), the definitions of batch and batch/lot number/mark for food products were detailed.

Under the regulation, food products that do not bear a mark, letter, symbol, or number identifying the batch to which they belong will not be allowed to be placed on the market.

PRODUCTS EXEMPTED FROM THE SCOPE

This provision will not apply to agricultural products sold or sent to temporary storage, preparation, or packaging facilities, shipped to producer associations, and collected for immediate use in preparation or processing facilities, nor to food products that are not pre-packaged at the point of sale to the final consumer, are packaged upon the request of the purchaser, or are pre-packaged for direct sale.

Packaging with a largest surface area of less than 10 square centimeters, as well as portioned ice creams and edible ices served to individuals, provided that the mark or number identifying the batch is included on the combined packaging, have also been kept outside the scope.

TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTRY UPON REQUEST

The batch number or mark will be determined by food producers each time. The batch mark or number will be determined and marked under the responsibility of one or the other of the operators.

Except in cases where it can be clearly distinguished from other markings on the label, the letter "P" or "L" will precede the batch mark or number.

For pre-packaged foods, the batch mark or number and, if necessary, the letter "P" or "L" will be located directly on the pre-packaging or on a label affixed to this packaging.

For non-pre-packaged foods, the batch mark or number and, if necessary, the letter "P" or "L" will be found on the package or container, or in the absence of these, on the relevant commercial documents.

If the recommended consumption date or expiration date on the label is indicated without being coded at least by day and month in that order, this date may be used as the batch number. In such cases, the label or packaging must include the statement, "The batch/lot number is the expiration date/recommended consumption date."

Food business operators will keep records of the compliance of the batch number or mark they use on food labels or packaging with the batch definition in the regulation and will submit them to the Ministry upon request.

While the draft communiqué was prepared in compliance with the "Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Marks or Symbols Identifying the Batch to Which Foodstuffs Belong," administrative sanctions will be applied to those who act contrary to the communiqué in accordance with the relevant articles of the "Law on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed."

If the draft communiqué enters into force, the "Communiqué on the Determination of Marks or Symbols Belonging to Batch Numbers of Foodstuffs under the Turkish Food Codex" dated January 4, 2012, will be repealed.

Food business operators will be required to comply with the provisions of this communiqué by December 31, 2026. Food products that do not comply with the communiqué will not be allowed to be kept on the market after the same date. The same provision will also apply to the labels of imported food products.