The Impact of Food Safety Criteria on Fruit and Vegetable Exports from Türkiye to The European Union

Abstract

Food safety has become an increasingly important issue as people become more concerned about access to healthy food. Particularly in affluent societies such as the European Union, the increasing consumption of unhealthy fruits and vegetables and carcinogenic residues are constantly on the agenda. Reducing aflatoxin levels in dried foods to below health risk levels, eliminating them from food and ensuring access to healthy food are essential for food safety and human health. In this study, the impact of food safety practices in fruit and vegetable trade between the European Union and Türkiye was examined using mandarins, one of Türkiye’s main fresh fruit and vegetable exports, and the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications for food and feed for the period between 2019 and 2022. The reasons for these notifications and the requests made in this context were examined and a TOWS analysis matrix was created based on the findings obtained. In conclusion, residue and aflatoxin inspections should be included in traceability activities in Türkiye. Producers need to be informed to ensure the effectiveness of inspections. It is crucial to provide adequate support to producers to improve storage conditions for perishable and dry products and to encourage the use of the latest production techniques. It is of great importance to raise awareness of these techniques among producers. Thus, the European Union can be an alternative market to the Russian Federation, which is Türkiye’s largest trading partner.