Halal Certification and Turkish Foods — Safe Choice in Serbia

For the Muslim community — and increasingly for consumers seeking transparent, ethical food — the question of halal certification isn't marketing, but a matter of trust. This short guide explains what halal certification actually means and why all Turkish products on Eksendoo carry this mark.

What Does Halal Mean?

The word halal comes from Arabic and means "permitted" or "in accordance with Sharia rules." In a food context, halal entails:

• No pork or pork derivatives
• No alcohol
• Animals slaughtered according to Islamic ritual (bismillah, blood drainage, sharp knife)
• No blood in the final product
• No contamination with non-halal ingredients during production, packaging, or transport

Who Issues Halal Certificates?

In Turkey, several recognized certification bodies exist. The most prominent are:

• TSE Halal — Turkish Standards Institute, government body
• GIMDES — Food and Nutrition Research and Certification Association
• HAK — Halal Accreditation Authority

These bodies are recognized by SMIIC (Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries) and JAKIM (Malaysian authority — the strictest global standard).

What Certification Covers

Halal certification is more than ingredient checking. The certifying body examines:

1. All ingredients and sources (raw materials, additives, colorings)
2. The production process (equipment, machinery, cross-contamination potential)
3. Packaging and packaging materials
4. Transport and storage
5. Hygiene standards and staff training

Certification is renewed annually. All our brands — Suntat, Baktat, Çaykur, Orçay, Akay, Seyidoğlu, Paşabahçe, Er-Mis — hold current halal certificates.

What Isn't Halal?

Things to watch in standard stores:

• Meat products of uncertain origin
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic desserts where alcohol is used for flavor (e.g., tiramisu, some chocolates)
• Cheeses with animal rennet from non-certified sources
• Additives: E-441 (pork gelatin), E-120 (cochineal, if not insect-based), E-1105 (lysozyme from egg — permitted but not universally)
• Wine and wine vinegar as ingredients in sauces or marinades

Why Eksendoo?

Eksendoo imports exclusively from Turkey, where halal production isn't niche but the standard for most major brands. Our products:

• Halal-certified by recognized Turkish bodies
• HACCP food safety standard
• ISO 22000 quality standard
• Direct import — no "gray market" risk
• Transparent ingredient declaration

What About the Rest of Serbia?

Eksendoo delivers across all of Serbia — Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Subotica, Kragujevac, and everywhere else. For Muslim families living outside Belgrade who struggle to find halal options locally, online ordering is the solution.

Halal isn't just a religious requirement — it's a system of transparency, quality, and respect toward animal and consumer.

Our Halal-Certified Products

Eksendoo offers a wide range of halal-certified Turkish foods. Here are some of the most popular ones from our catalog:

• Teas: Orçay Gold and Çaykur Tiryaki — authentic Turkish black tea from Rize
• Spices: pul biber, isot, sumac, cumin
• Legumes: red lentils, bulgur, Baldo rice
• Olives: Akay Gemlik black olives
• Breakfast: Seyidoğlu tahini-molasses, halva
• Sauces: tomato paste, grape vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Eksendoo products halal?

Yes, all our Turkish products are halal-certified. If you have doubts about a specific item, contact us — we'll send you a scan of the certificate.

Is halal certification annual?

Yes, certificates are renewed annually. Certification isn't a one-time process.

Is halal the same as gluten-free?

Not necessarily. These are two separate categories — a product can be halal but contain gluten. Check specific labels for gluten information.