Analysis of RASFF notifications for food products in the period 2020-2024: general trends and the case of Türkiye

This study analyzes and compares food-related notifications reported in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) between 2020 and 2024, with a specific focus on products originating from Türkiye. Using a descriptive approach, data retrieved from the RASFF database were classified by year, notification type, food category, hazard category, and risk level. A total of 20,747 food notifications were recorded during the study period, of which 2,255 (10.87%) were related to Turkish-origin products. Fruit and vegetables were the most frequently reported food category (4,115 notifications, 19.8%), while pesticide residues constituted the most common hazard overall. Similarly, among Turkish-origin notifications, fruit and vegetables accounted for 72.6% (1,637 notifications), with chlorpyrifos identified as the most frequently reported pesticide. The predominant notification type was 'border rejection' both in general and for Turkish-origin products. These findings highlight the ongoing challenges in food safety, particularly concerning pesticide contamination. To address these issues, it is essential that producers adopt Integrated Pest Management and Good Agricultural Practices alongside the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. Furthermore, regulatory authorities should expand and strengthen training programs to enhance compliance and food safety standards.