Association for the Inspection and Certification of Food and Supplies (G İ MDES)

The Association for the Inspection and Certification of Food and Supplies, known as GIMDES, is an independent, non profit halal certification body based in Istanbul, Turkey. It was established in 2005 by Dr. Huseyin Kami Buyukozer as a voluntary association serving both consumers and producers, and it began issuing halal certificates in 2009, making it one of the earliest dedicated halal certifiers operating as a non governmental organization in Turkey.

GIMDES certifies against its own published specification for halal food preparation, packaging, and the slaughter of animals. The document sets requirements for the slaughter of land animals, poultry, and aquatic species, and extends to beverages, catering services, and derivative ingredients such as oils, fats, milk products, gelatin, additives, and flavorings. Certified companies must run a Halal Assurance System, referred to as HGS, that ties halal and tayyib requirements to food safety practice. The specification takes a strict line on inputs, excluding products that contain genetically modified organisms as well as anything containing pork derivatives or alcohol components.

Internationally, GIMDES is a full member of the World Halal Council, and its founder has served as president of that body. In 2024 the association announced recognition by the Qatar Ministry of Public Health, supporting acceptance of its certified products in the Qatari market and wider Gulf trade. Through its certification work, training programs, and consumer outreach, GIMDES positions halal and tayyib assurance as a combined religious and quality benchmark for producers in Turkey and exporters supplying Muslim markets.