Communiqué on Monitoring of the Temperatures of Quick Frozen and Frozen Foodstuffs during Storage, Preservation and Transportation

Authorization Law: Turkish Food Codex

The Official Gazette: 06.02.2002-24663

Communication No : 2002/7

Objective

Article 1- The objective of this Communiqué is to ensure the monitoring of temperatures of quick frozen and frozen foodstuffs during storage, preservation and transportation.

Scope

Article 2- This Communiqué covers the temperature control of quick frozen and frozen foodstuffs in stages of storage, preservation and transportation.

Legal basis

Article 3- This Communiqué has been prepared in accordance with the “Turkish Food Codex Regulation” published in Official Gazette dated 16/11/1997, reiterated No. 23172.

Basic Rules

Article 4- The rules to be applied for quick frozen and frozen foodstuffs during storage, preservation and transportation are as follows:

a) Cold chain shall not be broken and temperature control shall be performed in every stage, during storage, transportation and preservation of the frozen products, from production plant to storages, from depots to main distribution depots and therefrom to retail sales points.

b) Following provisions shall be taken notice while performing temperature monitoring during storage, preservation and transportation of quick frozen foodstuff intended for human consumption:

1- Ambient temperature shall be frequently monitored in regular intervals with proper device that enable measurements between -30 and +30 °C with sensitivity of ±0.5.

2- Measuring devices shall be approved by competent authorities for registered transports.

3- Temperature records shall be kept daily by the operator and these records shall be kept in safe for minimum one year or more depending on the type of food.

4- During regional distribution and in storage in retail display cabinets, ambient temperature shall be measured by minimum one easily visible thermometer. The thermometer shall be placed in the air flow direction in open retail display cabinets and show the temperature at the maximum load line level.

Compliance with European Union

Article 5- This Communiqué has been prepared within the framework of compliance with European Union having regard to the Commission Directive No 92/1/EEC on “Monitoring Of Temperatures In The Means Of Transport, Warehousing And Storage Of Quick-Frozen Foodstuffs”.

Registration and Inspection

Article 6- The establishments which manufacture and sell the materials and articles covered in this Communiqué are obliged to obey the provisions of this Communiqué during registration, authorization, importation, control and inspection. The establishments which do not obey these provisions are subject to legal procedure according to the Decree Law No: 560 dated 24/6/1995, on “Production, Consumption and Inspection Foodstuffs”.

Inspection

Article 7- The provisions of this Communiqué are inspected by Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, according to the provisions of Decree Law No: 560.

Provisional Article-1 Presently active establishments, manufacturing and selling the materials and articles covered in this Communiqué, are obliged obey the provisions of this Communiqué within 1 year following the publication thereof. The manufacture facilities that do not make the necessary arrangements during this period are not allowed to operate. At the end of above-mentioned periods, legal procedure is applied, according to the provisions of the Decree Law No. 560, to these manufacturing facilities and the establishments selling the products which do not comply with the provisions of this Communiqué.

Enforcement

Article 8- This Communiqué enters into force on the date of publication.

Execution

Article 9- The provisions of this Communiqué are executed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Minister of Health.