Türkiye moves to regulate sugary beverages amid rising health concerns over high fructose levels
Health officials warn that unchecked fructose consumption in Türkiye poses severe risks, particularly for children, as obesity rates surge.
TURKEY – Türkiye is preparing sweeping regulations on sugary beverages following warnings that fructose levels in Turkish soft drinks are significantly higher than in Europe.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu revealed last week that the fructose content in local sodas is nearly four times higher than European standards, prompting urgent government action.
“A new regulation on sugary foods and beverages will be brought before the parliament in the new legislative term,” Memişoğlu announced, citing growing health risks linked to excessive sugar consumption.
Fructose, a natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables, has become a global health concern due to the widespread industrial use of high-fructose corn syrup. Nutrition expert Dr. Ayça Kaya explained that the food industry favors this form of sugar because it is cheaper and easier to store.
However, she cautioned that high intake overwhelms the liver, unlike natural fructose from fruits, which is processed into energy.
“Almost all sodas, packaged juices, cakes, biscuits, wafers, sauces and processed foods today use starch-based high-fructose corn syrup. While a medium apple has 7-8 grams of fructose, a can of soda carries at least 20 grams,” Kaya said, stressing the long-term risks of obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver and cirrhosis.
She added that excessive fructose also raises triglyceride levels, increasing the risk of heart disease, and elevates uric acid, which can lead to gout and kidney stones.
The issue is particularly pressing for children. A 2016 Health Ministry study found 10 percent of children aged 5-14 were obese, with another 25 percent overweight.
Projections by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest global obesity could rise by 70 percent by 2060, with Türkiye potentially reaching 94 percent, one of the highest rates worldwide.
Ahead of the new school year, Turkish Kidney Foundation Chairman Timur Erk urged urgent reforms, proposing a five-point plan.
His recommendations include banning sugary drinks in school canteens, enforcing clearer sugar labeling, raising taxes on unhealthy products, installing free water dispensers in schools, and restricting child-targeted advertising.
He also stressed the immediate need for the long-delayed “School Food” logo system.
Comparisons show Türkiye trailing international standards. In the United States, labels disclose fructose and glucose levels, while European countries cap syrup use in sodas at 2-3 grams per 100 milliliters.
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