While the changing world order affects eating habits in addition to lifestyle, the awareness for healthy life directs the consumers to search for “safe food”.

Emphasizing the need to stay away from products that are sold unpackaged, without the approval or registration of the Ministry, and whose packaging is damaged while buying food, Food Engineer Ebru Akdag stated that there is vital information on packaged foods and drew attention to the importance of food literacy. Pointing out that the pandemic period teaches us better that we should seek “safe foods”, not miracle foods, Ebru Akdag shared the points that should be considered in food selection. Food Engineer Ebru Akdag, General Coordinator of Culinary Products and Margarine Industrialists Association (MUMSAD), who defines safe food as free from the factors that cause spoilage and contamination and does not pose any health risks throughout its shelf life, said that the best choice is packaged foods with brand recognition. “Safe packaged foods are produced in accordance with legal regulations, produced within the scope of quality management systems and are in the control mechanism. For this reason, consumers should prefer reliable outlets and reliable companies with Ministry approval or registration in food selection. They should check information on the label of the product such as nutritional values, expiry date and allergens. Products whose packaging has been damaged and those are outside the fridge although they have to be kept in cold should not be bought,” urged Akdag.