Evaluation and prioritization of food environment policies in Türkiye using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI).

backgroundTürkiye is facing an alarming rise in diet-related non-communicable diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Tackling this issue demands a more proactive policy approach that fosters healthier food environments and supports long-term dietary improvements. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation level of government policies aimed at creating healthy food environments in Türkiye, using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), an internationally recognized framework for assessing implementation levels of food environment policies and comparing them to international best practices.

methodThe Food-EPI process in Türkiye was conducted in five main stages between May 2024 and June 2025. The policy and infrastructure support indicators were adapted to the national context, and evidence on national policies and international benchmarks was compiled. A panel of 38 national experts assessed policy implementation through structured evidence review and workshops to identify gaps. In total, 45 policy actions and 50 infrastructure support actions were initially identified, of which 26 policy actions and 28 infrastructure support actions were selected for prioritisation.

resultsAcross all assessed domains, none of the food policy or infrastructure support indicators in Türkiye reached a “high” level of implementation, with half of the policy indicators (50%) and more than half of the infrastructure support indicators (54%) assessed as having a “low” level of implementation. The top two highest-ranked policy actions identified through the weighted prioritisation process were: (1) reducing taxes on healthy and staple foods and (2) supporting healthy, local, and minimally processed food systems through agricultural policies and direct-to-consumer sales. The top two highest-ranked infrastructure support actions were: (1) increasing dietitian employment in primary care to enhance nutrition monitoring and (2) establishing systems to monitor children’s growth, nutritional status, and physical fitness.

conclusionTürkiye shows weak implementation across key domains of food environment policy. Experts prioritized actions targeting fiscal measures, agricultural systems, food marketing regulation, product reformulation, and strengthened nutrition monitoring and political commitment. Together, these prioritized actions provide a structured, evidence-informed roadmap to strengthen Türkiye’s food policy environment and support progress toward healthier food systems.