More companies granted Islamic halal certification

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Meat companies in particular are interested in receiving halal certificates as the business relations between Turkey and Muslim nations are improving.

Banvit, a poultry and meat company based in the northwestern province of Balıkesir, is the firm producing the highest number of halal-certified productss, and Istanbul is the province with the most certified-halal businesses, according to data from the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE). The number of requests for halal certification from Turkish companies is on the rise, as the country has been developing its trade ties with other Islamic nations. Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, TSE and appointed experts work together in the certification process.

150 applications
Some 150 companies have applied to TSE for certification since the program began on July 4, 2011, but only 38 have been authorized. They hold certificates for a total of 63 products. Banvit, headquartered in Balıkesir’s port city of Bandırma, holds 14 of these certificates. Felda Iffco and Kerevitaş follow with 4 products each.

The number of Istanbul firms holding halal certificates is 11. Bursa in the northwest follows with 4.
Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, TSE and appointed experts work together in the certification process.

Besides TSE, some private institutions are also internationally authorized to grant halal certification. Among those is Gimes, the certification and research company which also leads the World Halal Couincil. Accredited in 50 countries, Gimes put its seal on products from 210 companies.