Turkey Proposes PFAS Sampling Standards Feedback Deadline May 15

On April 16, 2025, Turkey's General Directorate of Food Safety and Control issued Notice No. 637, proposing new standards for sampling and analysis methods to control perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in food. The public consultation period ends on May 15, 2025.

The draft outlines key standards, including:

• Definitions and terminology for sampling and PFAS detection;
• Detailed procedures for food sample collection, requiring official personnel to perform sampling, combining primary samples into composite samples, and ensuring each sample weighs at least 1kg or 1L. Materials containing PFAS must be avoided during sampling.
• Specific requirements for various food types, such as mixing liquid samples before collection and ensuring poultry samples are taken from at least three slaughtered animals, each weighing at least 1kg.
• Standards for laboratory testing quality, sample preparation techniques, and analytical performance criteria.
• Result reporting methods to ensure consistency.

This initiative highlights Turkey's commitment to improving PFAS monitoring in food and ensuring public health protection. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback before the deadline.