Turkmenistan Introduces a New Procedure for Food Quality Control
The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan has approved the Procedure for the Disposal of Substandard Food Products and the Destruction of Hazardous Food Products. The relevant order No. 506, dated November 1, 2025, was registered by the Ministry of Justice on December 8.
The document was developed as part of the implementation of the State Program “Health” and establishes unified rules for handling food products that do not meet safety and quality requirements.
Under the new procedure, food products may be recognized as substandard or hazardous based on the results of an expert examination conducted by the State Sanitary and Disease Control Service. The examination includes verification of documentation, organoleptic assessment, and laboratory testing of products.
Food products recognized as substandard but suitable for further use for food or technical purposes are subject to disposal (processing). Products deemed unsuitable for any use are subject to destruction. The procedure is carried out in the presence of a special commission with mandatory documentation of an official report.
The document also provides for the possibility of destroying products without conducting an expert examination in certain cases, including obvious signs of spoilage, absence of required documentation, expiration of shelf life, or the presence of prohibited food additives.
Responsibility for the storage of seized products until disposal or destruction lies with the owner of the products. All costs associated with disposal or destruction procedures are borne by the product owner.
The provisions of the new procedure are mandatory for all individuals and legal entities engaged in the production and circulation of food products in the territory of Turkmenistan. Product owners retain the right to appeal decisions of regulatory authorities in accordance with the procedure established by law.
