The Communiqué on the Obligation to Sell Gluten-Free Food Products ("Communiqué") was published in the Official Gazette on 05.03.2024, and numbered 32480 aims to facilitate access to gluten-free food products for individuals requiring medical nutritional therapy due to gluten intolerance.
In accordance with Article 11 of the Regulation on Principles and Rules to be Applied in Retail Trade, which entered into force on December 14, 2023, following the amendment, the Ministry of Trade has been granted the authority to impose the obligation to sell food products for medical nutrition requiring diseases on chain stores with more than 200 branches and with sales areas exceeding 250 square meters in their branches. Within the scope of this obligation, the Communiqué has stipulated the obligation to sell gluten-free food products.
Pursuant to article titled "Sales Obligation" of the Communiqué, companies engaged in the sale of FMCG in the food retail sector and operating more than 200 chain stores shall:
- Maintain, in their branches with sales areas exceeding 250 square meters, gluten-free flour, sweet snacks, and savory snacks,
- Additionally, in their branches with sales areas exceeding 400 square meters, maintain gluten-free bread, flour, pasta, sweet snacks, and savory snacks,
in quantities sufficient to meet demand and ensure continuity of supply.
The sales obligation regulated in this Communiqué will come into force on 01.09.2024, for branches with sales areas exceeding 400 square meters, and on 01.06.2024 for other.
You can access the full text of the Communiqué via this link.