Underground Sugar Operation Expands in Food Sector
· Google Haberler
A judicial investigation into products, including sweets, honey, and sauces, that were illegally supplied to the domestic market by exceeding starch-based sugar quotas and using fake invoices has deepened.
New Dimension in Major Sugar Investigation
The judicial process concerning starch-based sugar production and trade across Turkey is deepening. As part of the operation coordinated by the Ministry of Justice, 25 companies, 26 different addresses, and 47 suspects were initially brought under scrutiny. Joint investigations by inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Sugar Department and the Revenue Administration Board clearly revealed that the process is not limited to tax losses but also directly affects critical links in the food safety chain.
Quota Violations and Covert Shipments
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the starch-based sugar quota in Turkey is maintained at 2.5 percent of the total sugar production quota. This rate corresponds to a legal quota production of exactly 72,750 tons for the 2025/2026 marketing year. Investigations determined that some industrial facilities circumvented these legal limitations set by the Sugar Law and covertly circulated high quantities of corn syrup that should not have been released to the domestic market.
Sales to the Domestic Market with Fake Invoices
According to findings in the investigation file, producers such as Ak Nişasta and Beşan Nişasta are alleged to have invoiced their products under the name of maltodextrin. While Artı Endüstriyel Gıda and Emelce Gıda are stated to have acted as intermediaries in this chain, Karamehmetler Gıda is accused of selling starch-based sugar by issuing crystal sugar invoices. Hasal Tarım is also among the allegations for supplying unregistered glucose, fructose, and dextrose to the market.
List Expands from Sweets to Çiğ Köfte
It was observed that the usage areas of unregistered sweeteners were not limited to traditional sweets. It is claimed that firms like Seyidoğlu Gıda, Beylerbeyi Lokum, and Uğurlu Helva Tahin, as well as Saf Naturel Bal and Hastürk Gıda, used these substances in bee feed or adulterated honey. Reports also reflected that unregistered glucose and fructose were detected in analyses of savory products such as sauces and çiğ köfte produced under Suluca Gıda.
Hygiene and Health Risks in Unsuitable Warehouses
Minister of Justice, Mr. Akın Gürlek, announced that the investigation has been deepened based on findings directly concerning public health and that the process is being conducted under the crime of Trading Spoiled or Altered Food or Medicines. According to information reflected in inspection reports, it was recorded that unregistered sweeteners were stored in substandard facilities under extremely unfavorable and unhygienic conditions, with insect residues present.
Sectoral Reaction Against Unregistered Production
Following the investigation brought to justice, Şeker-İş Union Chairman İsa Gök announced their support for the inspections initiated against unfair competition and food fraud. Emphasizing the importance of production in compliance with regulations, sector representatives pointed out that quota-exceeding and unregistered activities cause serious harm to both beet producers and the final consumer, highlighting the need to protect children's health and the balance of agricultural production.