Turkey has amended its spice regulations to strengthen product standards for spices in domestic markets, including ground spices and spice blends, through two official communiqués.
Turkey Tightens Rules for All Spices and Blends
New standards under the Turkish Food Codex apply from July 2026.
What changed
Product scope clarified to explicitly include ground spices and blends like cumin.
HS code 091099 is now mandatory for all regulated spices.
Rules apply uniformly to both imported spices and those produced domestically.
Who it affects
Spice importers must ensure all shipments comply with the new Turkish Food Codex standards.
Domestic producers of spices and blends must align their products with the updated requirements.
Key dates
Regulation Analysis
Turkey has amended its Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Spices to strengthen product standards for spices, including ground spices and spice blends, in the domestic market. The amendments introduce specific restrictions and revised limits for certain spices, as outlined below.
Key Amendments
- Prohibition on Fennel Products for Children Under Four
The amendment prohibits the use of fennel products by children under four years of age1, 2.
- Revised Maximum Foreign Matter Limits
The maximum foreign matter limit (% m/m) for oregano (oregano/thyme-type herbs) and mint has been set at 1%1, 2.
- Adjustment to Non-Volatile Ether Extract for Coconut
The minimum value for "Non-volatile ether extract on dry matter basis" for coconut has been revised from 65% to 60%1, 2.
Compliance Timeline and Authority
- Comment Period: Stakeholders may submit comments within 60 days from the notification date (30 June 2026), with the deadline set for 30 August 20261, 2.
- Responsible Authority: The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Food and Control, is the designated agency for handling comments and enforcing the regulation1, 2.
Summary Table
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Amending the Communiqué on Spices | Prohibition on fennel products for children under four1, 2. | Not specified | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
| Maximum foreign matter limit for oregano and mint set at 1% (m/m)1, 2. | Immediate compliance | ||
| Non-volatile ether extract for coconut revised to 60% (m/m)1, 2. | Immediate compliance | ||
| Stakeholder comments accepted until 30 August 20261, 2. | 30 August 2026 |
Summary Answer
Turkey’s recent amendments to the Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Spices introduce three key changes: a prohibition on fennel products for children under four, a 1% (m/m) foreign matter limit for oregano and mint, and a reduction in the non-volatile ether extract requirement for coconut from 65% to 60%1, 2. Stakeholders may submit comments to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry until 30 August 20261, 2. These amendments aim to enhance product safety and quality standards in the domestic spice market.
Sources
- ↩ Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Amending the Communiqué on Spices https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTUR112A2.docx
- ↩ Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Amending the Communiqué on Spice https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN20/TUR154A2.docx