Ministry announces new regulations for cream and clotted cream labels: That phrase will no longer be used

The "Turkish Food Codex Cream and Cream Communiqué" prepared by the Ministry was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force.

Accordingly, the products within the scope of the circular will be obtained from cow, sheep, goat or buffalo milk.

The lactic acid bacteria to be used in fermented or sour cream production must be present, alive and active in the product until the expiry date.

Cream and clotted cream registered as a geographical indication will be placed on the market in accordance with the characteristics specified in the geographical indication registration issued under the Industrial Property Law, provided that they do not contravene the food legislation.

No animal or vegetable fat other than milk fat

Products placed on the market under the Communiqué will not contain any animal fat or vegetable oil other than milk fat. Proteins other than milk protein may not be added to the products.

In flavoured processed creams, no flavouring substance that would cause imitation or adulteration may be used, and in cream products, no flavour substance may be used directly.

With the Communiqué, the principles regarding the labeling of products were also rearranged.

Accordingly, the term "cream" cannot be used on the label, in advertising, promotion and presentation of products produced for similar purposes and outside the scope of the circular.

The term "processed cream" may not be used as a food name. For processed cream, the food name must be specified in accordance with the designations in the product descriptions, based on the product's characteristics.

The seasoning ingredient will be written on the label

The flavoring ingredient and percentage used in flavored processed creams will be written in the main viewing area along with the name of the food.

If enzymes are used in the production of fermented or sour cream or acidified cream, this enzyme will be stated in the ingredient list or below the ingredient list on the food label.

If the milk used in cream and clotted cream production comes from a single species, the name of the species will be included alongside the name of the food. Images of the animal species may appear on the label for these products.

If milk or cream from different animal species is mixed in the production of cream and kaymak, the names of the species from which the product is produced may appear on the labels, along with statements such as "produced from the milk or cream of cows, sheep, goats, and water buffalo." However, these products cannot include images of species such as cows, sheep, goats, or water buffalo on the labels.

The name of the food on the label of the spreadable cream must be stated using font-sized characters with a height of at least 3 millimeters.

Food business operators operating before the publication date of the Communiqué must comply with these provisions until December 31. Products produced before this date will remain on the market until the end of their shelf life.