What is on Turkish shelves?
More than half (56.8%) of the 4,845 packaged foods with a Nutri-Score are D or E, meaning low nutritional quality; only 26.2% are A or B. Using our own database, we looked at what is really on Turkish shelves.
How we calculated
The figures were calculated as of July 2026 over 5,439 packaged foods and 417 cosmetic products with known ingredient lists in our own database. Nutritional quality used Nutri-Score (calculable for 4,845 foods); additives and content were scanned from each product's ingredient list. This is a snapshot; it updates as our database grows.
Nutritional quality of packaged foods (Nutri-Score)
Distribution across letters for the 4,845 foods with a Nutri-Score (A best, E worst):
56.8% of products are D or E (low nutritional quality); only 26.2% are A or B (good).
Food highlights
About 1 in 6 packaged foods contains palm oil (920 products). Palm oil is a cheap oil high in saturated fat; it is not banned, but moderation is advised for heart health with frequent intake.
Detailed guide98 products contained cheap corn-based liquid sugar (glucose-fructose syrup). It is not an additive but means added sugar; in drinks and sweets it signals the product's sugar load may be high.
33 food products contain titanium dioxide (E171). Following EFSA's 2021 assessment, this additive is BANNED in food in both the EU (2022) and Turkey (since 1 April 2024). So an additive that is now banned can still show up on shelves via old stock or older label data.
Detailed guide23 products contain at least one of the azo dyes (E102, E110, E122, E124, E129 etc.) for which the EU mandates a 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children' warning label. These dyes add no nutrition, only color.
Cosmetic highlights
About two thirds of cosmetic products (286) contain fragrance. Fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact allergy and irritation, especially on sensitive skin; 'fragrance-free' products are a safer choice.
Detailed guideOne in four cosmetic products (115) contains SLS/SLES sulfate detergent. It is not toxic but can dry and irritate skin and scalp; 'sulfate-free' products may be more comfortable for sensitive and dry skin.
Detailed guideLimitations of this study
This report is a snapshot of the products in our own database; it is not a random sample representative of the whole Turkish market, so the percentages should be read as a strong indicator, not the market's exact ratio. Nutri-Score is a nutritional-quality measure, not a definitive verdict that a product is 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' on its own. Additive scans rely on the ingredient text; products with missing or differently-written labels may not be covered.
So how does your product score?
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Frequently asked
Where does this data come from?
From products with known ingredients in our own database. It was calculated as of July 2026 using each product's ingredient list and (for food) its Nutri-Score.
Does a Nutri-Score of D or E mean the product is 'harmful'?
No. Nutri-Score is a nutritional-quality indicator; D/E usually means sugar, salt or saturated fat is high. Occasional intake is fine; for a frequently-eaten product it makes sense to choose a better alternative.
Why does E171 matter?
Titanium dioxide (E171) was banned in food in both the EU (2022) and Türkiye (2024) after EFSA's assessment. Even so, it can still appear on some products via old stock or older label data.
Do the percentages reflect all of Türkiye?
No, it is a snapshot of our database, not a random sample; read it as a strong indicator, not the exact market ratio. It will update as the database grows.
This report is for information; it is not a substitute for medical/dietary advice.