Developments and Regulations About Functional Foods in Turkey: A Literature Review

OpenAlex İngilizce

The aim of this study is to define the functional food market in Turkey and to present the official regulations concerning the labeling, promoting and advertising of functional foods. This present study is based on literature studies reported previously. Functional food market is a new sector in Turkey. So far, significant progress has been made in terms of legislation regarding this sector but it has not been finished yet. Defining the relationship between functional foods and public health, the ways in which consumers are informed and the impact of media are the major fields of argument in Turkey. Functional foods are in the growing phase in Turkey. In developing countries like Turkey, when correct and appropriate information is not provided, consumers are likely to try to compensate for their unhealthy dietary habits by consuming "functional foods" and try to cure their diseases with these products. A functional food discourse without any ethical concern could cause nutritional science to be overlooked. While the functional food market is creating opportunities and creating potential positive impacts on human health, new communication technologies are also presenting possible new threats.