TGDF Akademi Launched

The Federation of Turkish Food and Beverage Industry Associations (TGDF), through a protocol signed with Ankara University Food Safety Institute, has launched TGDF Academy to enable food sector stakeholders to access current information on all aspects of implementation, particularly legislation. TGDF Academy trainings will begin on 7 February, addressing label notifications that became mandatory as of 1 January 2020 under the Turkish Food Code Food Labelling Regulation. The diversity of food and beverage products, the abundance of risks that may arise in production and consumption, and the changing needs of different segments of society make food legislation and production processes increasingly complex. In the implementation of national food legislation prepared in line with European Union legislation, confusion sometimes arises from differences in interpretation. Developments in health, environment and technology, and scientific data presented, directly affect the food and beverage sector. As these impacts are reflected in food legislation, it is important that sector professionals and stakeholders in the food supply chain—in agriculture, production, logistics, retail and consumption—have current and accurate information to ensure the smooth operation of the chain. The Federation of Turkish Food and Beverage Industry Associations (TGDF), through a protocol signed with Ankara University Food Safety Institute, has established TGDF Academy to create a common language in both legislation and implementation affecting the food sector; to find practical solutions to questions and problems arising in the chain; and thereby to ensure safe, healthy, reliable and sustainable food supply.

Food Labelling Regulation Training

The first TGDF Academy training, which will transfer the knowledge and experience of experts from the public and scientific communities on topics determined according to the priorities of the food chain, will be held on 7 February 2020. The subject of the first training will be label notifications that became mandatory on 1 January 2020 under the Turkish Food Code Food Labelling and Consumer Information Regulation. At the Food Labelling Regulation training to be held in Istanbul on 7 February, Selman Ayaz, Head of Food Establishments and Codex Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Emel Molla, Working Group Manager, will inform participants about nutrition element declarations required on labels as of 1 January and health and nutrition claims.

Training content:

The content of the full-day training, aimed at staff of food and beverage production companies' production, R&D, marketing and regulation departments, and staff of mass catering facilities' production, marketing, regulation departments and independent auditors, consultancy and law firms, has been determined as follows:

• What are the responsibilities of food operators?
• What information is mandatory on labels?
• Nutrition declaration: Which foods, which information?
• Negative and positive claims on labels
• Current status in nutrition and health claims
• New applications in mass catering facilities
• School food application basic requirements
• Allergen declaration

TGDF Academy will continue to bring together the most qualified experts on current topics with sector stakeholders according to the food chain's agenda and priorities in the coming period. Source: https://www.gidahatti.com/