Halal food center stage in Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s rising halal food sector was on the table during the Halal and Healthy Products Fair. DHA photo

Turkey’s rising halal food sector was at the table during yesterday’s Halal and Healthy Products Fair, the only such example in Turkey.

The sector, based on products produced and processed with methods in compliance with Islam, has been facing a boom in past few years, and has even been creating its own sub-industries.

The fair, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, convened prominent producer players in the sector as well as several purchasing groups from the U.S., Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.

During his speech at the opening ceremony, Arınç said the halal sector would continue producing and exporting as long as it satisfied people’s needs.

“Production might be shaped according to that, a new capacity may emerge. This would also mean employment,” he said.

Halal food has been an increasingly popular choice among conservatives in the country, who were struggling to maintain an Islamic lifestyle.

In addition to halal foods, Turkey’s standardization institution also began last February to provide halal service certificates to food production and serving facilities that comply with Islamic rules, which opened the way for the formation of a wider tourism and entertainment market.