The Regulation Amending the Turkish Food Codex Regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was published in the Official Gazette dated 31.01.2024 and numbered 32446, and has come into effect.
According to the regulation that has come into effect:
"No other food ingredient besides pomegranate, pomegranate juice, pomegranate juice concentrate, and water can be added to pomegranate molasses. Products resembling pomegranate molasses, such as pomegranate-flavored sauce, pomegranate sauce, pomegranate molasses sauce, pomegranate-flavored syrup, and pomegranate molasses syrup, cannot be marketed domestically under names that suggest they are pomegranate molasses. Products that are not permitted for domestic sale under this regulation will not be allowed on the market after June 30, 2024."
This decision was published in the Official Gazette.
Pomegranate molasses, a flavor frequently used and loved in Turkish cuisine, is particularly used as a flavor enhancer in salads, appetizers, and some dishes to provide a tangy taste and add flavor.
So why was "Pomegranate Syrup Sauce", which is used so frequently, banned?
There are many imitations of pomegranate molasses on the market, which is made by fermenting pomegranate juice. The reason for this is that original pomegranate molasses is an expensive product. On average, it takes 7-8 kilograms of pomegranates to produce only about 1 kilogram of pomegranate molasses. As a result, the cost of producing 100% pomegranate molasses is very high. Consequently, imitation products such as pomegranate molasses sauces that are not true pomegranate molasses, pomegranate-flavored sauces, and pomegranate-flavored syrups are found on the market. Consumers end up being deceived to some extent.
These imitation products contain chemicals such as pomegranate juice concentrate, glucose syrup, acidity regulator citric acid, and preservative sodium benzoate. These chemicals pose serious health risks, including cancer, and can trigger various diseases. Additionally, sugar contents like glucose and fructose present risks for diabetic patients.
What is the consumer's responsibility?
In addition to this new regulation, which has been implemented to protect consumers from all these health risks and counterfeit products, consumers should also take their own precautions. To do so, consumers should choose products from certified and regulated brands.
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