Warning About Unpacked Candy & Chocolate

Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD) warned consumers about unpacked candy, Turkish delight, and chocolates. Mr. Zeki Saribekir, the President of ASD, underlined that all unpacked foodstuffs including unpacked candies carry great risks and said, "It is impossible to think about health and hygiene in unpacked foods. Do not let cheap prices deceive you into buying unpacked candies.”

Candy, Turkish delight and chocolate sales peak before Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan Feast) each year, which eventually causes under the counter sales of low quality and unhealthy products. Unpacked products like candy, Turkish delight and chocolate preferred by customers because they are cheaper or deemed fresher are usually extremely unhealthy and harmful. Unpacked candies and chocolates may be in contact with pests or rodents and cause great risks towards human health.

Mr. Zeki Saribekir, the President of Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD), underlined that not only unpacked candies and chocolates, but also all unpacked foodstuffs are produced in places that ignore food safety and hygiene and thus they cause serious dangers. Saribekir stated that it is almost impossible to find any unpacked foodstuffs in developed countries and continued, "All foodstuffs should be sold in packaging in order to prevent unnecessary waste and ensure hygiene. Packaging ensure that the products are preserved in initial production conditions and delivered to consumers in the most economic and trustworthy way while defining the products in them. Main aims of foodstuff packaging are to extend shelf life, ensure storage in convenient conditions, protect the foodstuffs from external contaminants and minimize the loss of quality until the product reaches the consumer. There are still many products that are sold without packaging in our country, even though the importance of packaging is this obvious.”

Do not buy goods with damaged packages

Saribekir underlined that consumers should not buy all products, including candies and chocolates, with damages, torn or distorted packages and listed important steps to consider: "Be careful about any visible deformation, torn, leakage, swelling or vacuum deterioration on the package and check best before date. Explanations on the package should be understandable and in Turkish. Additionally, the packaging should contain information about the name of foodstuff, contents list, net amount, name and address of the manufacturer, best before date, party and serial number, manufacturing permit or food registration number along with details on how to use and storage. If possible, please also check whether the product is stored in the conditions provided on the package."

Unregistered production harms both the industry and public health

Mr. Zeki Saribekir reminded us that one of the biggest problems in packaging industry is unregistered production and the unfair competition it creates and said, "While legitimate companies fulfill every obligation like payments, taxes and insurance liabilities, unregistered companies acquire illegal income and cause serious damages to public's health.”.