Ministry of Trade Introduces Mandatory Weight Information on Menus

The Ministry of Commerce has introduced a requirement for menu weight information for döner, İskender, and hamburger products in the food and beverage sector. According to a statement from the Ministry, inspections have begun for those who do not provide weight information.

The statement includes the following information: "The price tags, tariffs, and price lists of goods and services sold at retail are regulated by the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 and the Price Tag Regulation. The primary aim of the Regulation, which is to regulate the form, content, usage, and principles of discounted sales of the labels, tariffs, and price lists of goods and services sold at retail, is significant for protecting consumers' 'economic interests' and ensuring they are 'correctly and completely informed.'

Döner, İskender, and hamburgers are among the most preferred products by consumers and have the largest number of establishments operating in the food and beverage service sector. These products are widely favored across the country due to their fast service and economic nature.

Recently, it has been observed that businesses such as restaurant and buffet chains have been selling döner, which should traditionally be sold by weight, under various names such as "döner sandwich, döner in bread, dürüm döner, serving döner," at different prices, while İskender and hamburgers have been sold in different portion sizes without providing weight information, making price comparisons impossible and resulting in consumers being inadequately informed.

To safeguard consumers' economic interests regarding the döner product sold by weight and in different weights, as well as İskender and widely favored hamburger products, it is imperative that businesses operating in this sector include weight information as a distinguishing feature in their tariffs and price lists. The Turkey Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges and the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen have been informed on this matter.

Additionally, it is deemed beneficial for food and beverage service businesses to pay attention to the specified issues as widespread and intensive inspections continue to be conducted by 81 Trade Provincial Directorates to ensure that our businesses do not face penal sanctions."