The Turkish Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Federation of Food Industry Associations (TGDF), has published a “Sugar Reduction Guide”.
The publication will serve as a guide for the industry to gradually reduce the amount of sugar in chocolate, candy, waffles, sweet sauces, cereals and soft drinks by 10% by 2025.
According to a 2017 study in Turkey, the incidence of obesity is 31.5% in people over the age of 15 and gives a percentage of the “inactive” population – those with a sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise – from 42.4 %.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a limit of 5 to 10 teaspoons of sugar per day and insists on reducing free sugar intake below 10% of physical calories, which is equivalent to 50 grams of sugar per day.
The new guide includes recommendations for reducing the amount of sugar in packaged products, as well as its use in restaurants, cafes and other restaurants.
TGDF Deputy Director Rint Akuz said they had previously worked with the health ministry to reduce salt intake and their next step was to voluntarily reduce sugar in food.
“This is something that needs significant investment in research, development and innovation. We give priority to public health and believe in stopping excessive consumption, which runs parallel to a sedentary lifestyle, “said Akuz.
