Probe Launched into Sugar Companies for Distributing Counterfeit Products; 47 Summoned

An investigation has been initiated across eight Turkish provinces targeting 25 companies suspected of distributing counterfeit starch-based sugar products. The probe, coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, aims to uncover violations of the Sugar Law, including the illicit sale of starch-based sugars intended for export and the misrepresentation of product contents.

“

Inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Tax Inspection Board revealed that some companies producing and trading starch-based sugar were circumventing domestic sales limitations and quotas. Evidence suggests that these companies allegedly disguised products, invoicing them under names like 'maltodextrin,' 'glucose,' or 'fructose,' while the actual contents differed from the declared substances.

According to Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Tax Inspection Board revealed that some companies producing and trading starch-based sugar were circumventing domestic sales limitations and quotas. Evidence suggests that these companies allegedly disguised products, invoicing them under names like "maltodextrin," "glucose," or "fructose," while the actual contents differed from the declared substances.

"These findings directly concern public health, consumer trust, and market order," stated the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in a release. The investigation, which commenced following a review of audit reports, is examining potential offenses including the trade of adulterated or altered food and drugs, tax evasion, issuing or using misleading documents, forgery of private documents, and price manipulation.

“

These findings directly concern public health, consumer trust, and market order. The investigation... is examining potential offenses including the trade of adulterated or altered food and drugs, tax evasion, issuing or using misleading documents, forgery of private documents, and price manipulation.

As part of the operation, searches were conducted at 26 locations in Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Ankara, Konya, Izmir, Gaziantep, and Adana. Consequently, 47 individuals identified as company managers have been summoned for questioning. Minister Tunç expressed gratitude to the involved ministries and law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that those who endanger public health, mislead citizens, cause tax losses, or seek unlawful gains will be held accountable under the law.

“

Those who endanger public health, mislead citizens, cause tax losses, and seek unlawful gains will be held accountable under the law.