Tomato Paste Quality Inspection in Turkey
Turkey is one of the world's leading tomato paste producers, processing open-field tomatoes from Marmara and the Aegean in a short summer campaign. Brix, consistency, colour and mould count define the product.
- Season
- July to September
- Main regions
- Marmara, Aegean
- Category
- Processed Food
- Key tests
- Brix; Howard mould count
01Product overview
- Cold break and hot break paste, chosen by end use
- Common concentrations such as 28 to 30 and 36 to 38 Brix
- Industrial bulk paste and retail packs
02Turkish production regions
Bursa (Karacabey, Mustafakemalpaşa), Manisa, İzmir, Balıkesir and Çanakkale.
03Harvest and production season
The processing campaign runs from July to September; product ships all year from stock.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July, in season
- August, in season
- September, in season
- October
- November
- December
Typical window: July to September. Timing shifts with altitude, variety and weather. See the full Turkish harvest calendar.
04Export characteristics
Exported in aseptic bags in drums or bins for industry, and in tins, glass jars and pouches for retail. Main markets include the EU, Middle East, Africa and Japan.
05Typical quality parameters
| Parameter | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Brix | Natural tomato soluble solids, against declared concentration |
| Consistency | Bostwick at a defined dilution |
| Colour | Hunter or CIE a/b ratio |
| Howard mould count | Percentage of positive fields |
| pH and acidity | Per specification |
| Defects | Black specks, skin and seed fragments, scorching |
Limits and tolerances come from your contract and the applicable standard. We do not apply generic values where a contract specification exists.
06Visual inspection criteria
- Black and brown specks
- Drum or bin integrity and aseptic bag condition
- Can seams, bulging and dents
- Label and batch coding
07Sampling methods
Finished goods are sampled by carton using ISO 2859-1 with the AQL levels agreed with the buyer, typically separate levels for critical, major and minor defects. Product for laboratory testing is drawn from the same random cartons, and production codes are recorded.
08Laboratory testing
- Brix, Bostwick, colour, pH
- Howard mould count
- Commercial sterility (incubation tests)
- Pesticide residues
- Heavy metals and tin for canned product
- Microbiological testing
- Physical and chemical parameters per specification
- Allergen testing where cross-contact is a concern
Testing is coordinated through laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the required method. See laboratory coordination.
09Food safety and quality risks
- Loss of sterility in aseptic or canned product
- High mould count from poor raw material
- Added starch or colour in adulterated product
- Residues
10Packaging and labelling
220 litre aseptic bags in steel drums, bag-in-box bins, tins from 70 g to 4.5 kg, glass jars.
11Storage and transportation
Aseptic product is stored at ambient temperature away from heat; we check drum condition and storage time.
12Pre-shipment inspection procedure
- Review specification, label artwork and packing list
- Confirm production is complete and at least 80 percent packed
- Draw cartons at random using the agreed AQL plan
- Check product appearance, weight, fill, seal integrity and sensory attributes
- Verify labels against the approved artwork and destination rules
- Take laboratory samples where required
- Supervise container condition, loading and sealing
- Issue an inspection report with photographs and defect tallies
13Relevant international standards
Regulations are amended regularly. Always check the version in force for your destination market.
14Conformity TR services for tomato paste
Food Inspection
Independent inspection of finished and semi-finished food products at Turkish suppliers, carried out against your specification, your label artwork and the rules of your market
Quality Control
Pre-production, during-production and continuous quality control at Turkish food and feed factories, so problems are corrected while there is still time
Pre-Shipment Inspection
Final random inspection of food, produce and feed before it leaves the supplier, when the goods are packed and ready to load
Food Safety Assessments
Independent assessment of HACCP, GMP and GHP, hygiene, allergen management, traceability and cold chain at Turkish food and feed suppliers
Supplier Audits
Supplier qualification, food safety audits, quality management system audits, GMP audits and GAP assessments for buyers sourcing from Turkey
15Questions buyers ask
When is the season for tomato paste in Turkey?
The processing campaign runs from July to September; product ships all year from stock. Typical window: July to September. Exact timing varies with region, altitude and weather each year.
Where are tomato paste produced in Turkey?
Bursa (Karacabey, Mustafakemalpaşa), Manisa, İzmir, Balıkesir and Çanakkale.
Which laboratory tests are typical for tomato paste?
Common tests include brix, Bostwick, colour, pH; howard mould count; commercial sterility (incubation tests); pesticide residues. The right test plan depends on your specification and destination market.
What are the main quality and safety risks for Turkish tomato paste?
Loss of sterility in aseptic or canned product. High mould count from poor raw material. Added starch or colour in adulterated product. Residues.
Can Conformity TR inspect tomato paste and supervise loading?
Yes. We inspect tomato paste at the supplier against your specification, coordinate laboratory testing where required and supervise loading, with a photographic report to you the same day.
Request inspection for tomato paste in Turkey
Send the product, supplier location and timing by email, phone or WhatsApp. We confirm scope, sampling method, laboratory plan and cost before any work starts.
- Food-qualified inspector at the supplier
- Report with photographs the same day
- Independent of the supplier
Inspection request: Tomato Paste
For a fast proposal, include the product and specification, supplier location, destination market and expected dates. We reply in English, usually within one business day.
Related products
Tomatoes
Turkey is one of the world's largest tomato producers and a major fresh tomato exporter.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Dried Vegetables
The Aegean region is a major source of sun-dried tomatoes, along with dried peppers, eggplants and other vegetables.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Turkish canners pack vegetables, legumes, fruits, ready meals and stuffed vine leaves for retail and foodservice.