IKV, in collaboration with TÜRDER (Protection of Consumers and Competition Association) and GGD (Food Safety Association), with the support of DMW (Diplomaten International) and TKKTTO (Turkish Northern Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce) organised a panel entitled “Food Safety to protect Consumer Rights” on 26 October 2016. The panels were moderated by Economics Newspapers Chairman Celal Toprak.

The opening remarks at the panel were realised by TÜRDER and TKKTO Chairman Assoc. Prof. Uğur Özgöker, IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, DMZ Chairman Ferhat Bozçelik and GGD Chairman Samim Saner.

The main topics of discussion at the panel were the protection of consumers’ right, the implementation of the food codex of the EU in Turkey, the implication of GMO, pesticides and chemical medicine on food safety and the role of the three central actors in food safety mainly the government, producers and consumers.

During the panel, it was reminded that the food codex and the food safety regulations were implemented following the start of EU accession negotiations in Turkey in a top-down fashion. This led to a debate amongst the participant as one observed that the Turkish society is not aware of their rights as consumers. Furthermore, it was also indicated that consumer rights constitute an important part of fundamental rights of European citizens and had been implemented in a bottom-up fashion. An allusion was also made to the different challenges Turkey is faced with and the fact that Turkish consumers are not as adamant as others in demanding for further food safety regulations. A general lack of education regarding this topic was highlighted during the panel. Indeed, it was stressed that some may not fully understand the importance of implementing food safety regulations and how they impact upon them.

In that context, Istanbul University Oncology Institute Lecturer Dr. Yavuz Dizdar pinpointed the adverse effects and vast consequences upon the health of human beings as a result of GMO in plants, supplements and hormones in animals, etc. As such, he further stressed that cancer and hormonal modifications have increased because of the use of such methods in agriculture. IKV Strategy and Business Development Director Gökhan Kilit emphasised the need to amend food safety regulations in Turkey in order to avoid food scandals such as the mad cow, use of horse in certain meat products and salmonella. In that respect, GDD Chairman Samim Saner reminded that more than 700 people have become ill in Turkey in the past two months as a direct result of food poisoning.

Additionally, GDD Chaiman Saner noted that there are three types of dangers in food safety: general hygiene danger such as small unwanted particles, chemical dangers such as toxins, pesticides, and steroids and microbiological dangers such as the use of antibiotics in the food production. In order to avoid these dangers, Chairman Saner underscored the necessity to raise the awareness of both the producers and consumers and the need for the government to be more involved in this process. Ayşe Cengiz from TÜDER pointed out that the consumers are the most important actors for the food industry but indicated that the consumers are not well informed about the whole process of production is As such, she further explained that with the increase in the awareness of the consumers, their expectations towards the industry would also rise and they would ask for further regulations in that respect. She added that it is also critical to produce healthy food for the consumers who are at the receiving end of the process and that they should further be protected from false advertisements.

On the other hand, Ministry of Customs and Trade Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance Customs and Trade Researcher Muhittin Yıldırım pointed out that the average consumer will not look into the product they buy. Indeed, he indicated that at most times, consumers may buy products without having done a thorough research, with the risk of being misled especially in the case of online purchases. Moreover, he stressed the critical importance of enhancing education in that regard in schools, thus teaching adequately children about having a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy products. He also indicated that such approach should be extended to the parents of the children as well.

Furthermore, Competition Authority 3^rd Supervision and Enforcement Department Chairman Hakan Suat Ölmez drew the attention to the position of Turkey in the production of hazelnut in Turkey, which is far below the US and EU productivity. As such, he argued that there is problem in Turkish politics as decisions are often taken in a short-term way. Lastly, GDD Chairman Yıldırım also presented the German “Stiftung Wahrentest” (Merchandise Test Foundation) as a good example to adopt for Turkey.

In overall, the panel brought attention to important topics concerning food safety, consumer awareness and rights, explained where Turkey’s position is in comparison to the EU standards, and opened discussion and debate about how to solve problems encountered during these processes.