Sabri Ülker Foundation Addresses Misconceptions in Food and Nutrition at International Conference

The Sabri Ülker Food Research Institute Foundation, drawing on data showing that one in five people in Turkey has insufficient health literacy, has organized another international event aimed at disseminating accurate information to the public. The 5th International Conference on Nutrition, Health Literacy and Education took place in Ankara with the participation of domestic and foreign experts.

Dr. Talat İçöz, President of Sabri Ülker Foundation, delivered the opening remarks of the conference and noted that explanations made by persons not expert in food and nutrition create serious information pollution in the public sphere. İçöz stated:

"We view the dissemination of reliable information on balanced nutrition and food to the public as our most important responsibility. We believe that every step taken in this area will contribute to the welfare of society."

"Information pollution concerning food and nutrition is turning into a public health problem"
At the conference held at Hacettepe University Sıhhiye Culture Center, strategies for combating information pollution and strengthening health literacy were addressed from an academic perspective.

Dr. İçöz continued his remarks as follows:
"The research we conducted last year with the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) clearly demonstrated that Turkey's level of nutrition, health and food literacy lags behind other countries. For this reason, in our 15th year, we are positioning this conference as one of our most important activities in combating information pollution."

Health literacy insufficient in Turkey
According to the Ministry of Health's 2024 *"Turkey Health Literacy Level and Related Factors Research"*, of Turkey's population:

21% have insufficient,

33% have problematic-limited,

34% have adequate,

12% have excellent health literacy levels.

Research conducted in Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain and Slovenia in collaboration with Sabri Ülker Foundation and EUFIC shows that consumers experience serious misconceptions regarding balanced nutrition, healthy plate composition and interpreting scientific information.

Experts addressed misconceptions from different disciplines
At the conference, Sabri Ülker Foundation Science Board members Prof. Dr. Nur Baran Aksakal, Prof. Diana Banati, Prof. Dr. Zehra Büyüktuncer Demirel, Dr. Laura Fernandez and Prof. Dr. Hünkar Korkmaz evaluated increasing health literacy and combating misinformation within a public health framework.
Other speakers Prof. Dr. Ali Atıf Bir, Prof. Dr. Yeşim Şenol and Gülcan Kılınç, Coordinator of the Health Services Department of the Turkish Ministry of National Education, stated that the psychological effects of the digital age and incorrect learning in childhood deepen misconceptions related to food and nutrition. Presentations highlighted the critical role of teachers in raising healthy generations.

Teachers contributing to food literacy were honored
As part of the conference, the awards for Sabri Ülker Foundation's **"Food Literacy Good Practices in the Classroom Competition"** for preschool and primary school teachers were presented to their winners. Awards were given to teachers who developed the most creative and sustainable in-classroom practices aimed at increasing their students' food literacy awareness, following project presentations.

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