ASD has Warned Consumers about Unpacked Food

03 April 2019 14:40

Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD) drew attention to the fact that food and beverages should always be sold with packaging and warned consumers against food products sold without packaging. Mentioning that still many foodstuffs in Turkey are sold without packaging whereas it is almost impossible to find any product without packaging in developed countries, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir, President of Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association said the following: "Food products that are produced in environments where food safety and hygiene are neglected and sold without packaging cause serious dangers. Foodstuffs must always be sold with packaging to avoid waste and maintain hygiene".

Having conducted activities for 27 years to ensure consumers have access to healthy food, the Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD) highlighted the dangers that might arise from preferences with regard to the most consumed food and beverages such as legumes, meat, cheese, chicken, ayran (yoghurt drink), fruit juice and milk.

President of ASD, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir mentioned that still many food products are sold without packaging in Turkey while almost no products are sold without packaging in developed countries. Mentioning that food products should always be sold with packaging to avoid waste and maintain hygiene, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir said the following: "Foodstuffs that are produced in environments where food safety and hygiene are neglected and sold without packaging create serious danger. Proper packaging is also an indicator of the value attached to consumers. The only way to launch a food or beverage to the market without additives is to do it through rigid packaging or multilayered flexible packaging".

"PACKAGED FOOD EXTENDED AVERAGE LIFE - SPAN"

Mentioning that hygiene is essential for food packaging production, Zeki Sarıbekir said that packaged foods and beverages are prepared and delivered to consumers in a hygienic environment without "touching" the product. Zeki Sarıbekir highlighted that packaging ensure fresh fruits and vegetables are transported from the farm to the dining table through reliable food chain, thereby preventing waste in the industry. He said: "The increase in the average human life span is in line with the increase in packaged food production." 150 years ago people didn't have easy access to clean water, beverages, food, medicine and basic needs. As the Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association we believe that as foods and drinks began to be packaged over time, people's average life span extended as well. As we always say, the packaging of the product you purchase is the product's assurance and every product must be packaged. The label on the packaging contains information about nutritional values, product's quantity, expiration date, manufacturer's address, namely the product's contents and the place of production as well as the producer of the product. For health purposes, packaged foods and beverages with accurate details on the label must be preferred. Consumers need to be sensitive and aware in this regard".

"PACKAGING DOESN'T INCREASE PRODUCT COST; TO THE CONTRARY, IT REDUCES IT"

Zeki Sarıbekir mentioned that the share of packaging in total costs for fast moving consumer goods ranges between 3 to 5 percent and said: "Some packaging users consider packaging to have a significant cost. To the contrary, packaging minimizes product loss and thus leads to cost savings. Packaging doesn't increase a product's cost, it reduces it".

"PACKAGING DOESN'T POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE DO"

Addressing the misconception about the environmental pollution caused by packaging, Zeki Sarıbekir made the following statements: "Packaging does not pollute the environment, people do. We need to keep our goals ambitious to ensure recycling in Turkey is advanced, to inform consumers as in modern countries and allow them to contribute to recycling. Products cannot be sold or transported without packaging. With the added value created by packaging, our industry is among the rare industries that make positive contribution to Turkey's current deficit. Packaging industry is one of the industries that make significant contribution to Turkey's growing economy. All packaging can be recycled and we contribute to Turkish economy by recycling packaging waste. Therefore we need to plan our future with new goals for improving and increasing recycling. That's the only way to achieve our national goal of ranking among the top 10 economies worldwide with our export target for 2023 when we'll celebrate the 100th anniversary of foundation of our Turkish Republic".

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