Tamer Aktaş
Chairman of the Board
Aktaşlar Lezzet Grubu

In today’s fast-paced world, frozen foods offer a healthy alternative by preserving freshness and nutritional value without the use of additives. Tamer Aktaş, Chairman of Aktaşlar Lezzet Grubu, breaks the most common misconceptions in the industry by highlighting their additive-free products, produced with IQF technology, and explains how they’ve brought the quality, safety, and flavor of frozen foods to global markets.

As the pace of daily life accelerates, frozen foods have begun to hold a prominent place in consumer preferences due to their convenience and ability to retain nutritional value. However, one of the most common misconceptions in this sector is the belief that additives are widely used. Thanks to Individually Quick Freezing (IQF) technology, the nutritional integrity of food can be preserved without the need for additives. This technology allows us to deliver additive-free products to our consumers while maintaining their freshness.

In recent years, Turkey’s frozen food industry has grown rapidly, evolving into a significant market. As of the last three years, the sector has reached an estimated size of approximately 25 billion Turkish liras. Aktaşlar Lezzet Grubu continues to expand its presence as a major player in the frozen food market.

“Our Certifications Are Proof of Our Product Quality”

Products that are frozen quickly offer a longer shelf life compared to fresh alternatives and maintain their nutritional value throughout the year. In 2024, we exported 30 million frozen products to 30 countries. Maintaining an unbroken cold chain during frozen food shipments is crucial. We produce our products entirely with natural ingredients and without any additives. We consistently emphasize that frozen foods made with natural ingredients and without additives are both fresh and healthy.

To this end, we actively utilize trade fairs, digital platforms, and traditional media to correct misconceptions about frozen foods. In order to build consumer trust in frozen products, our items are subjected to inspections at every stage—from production to packaging—in accordance with international food safety standards. Our BRC, IFS, and Halal certifications attest to our product quality. Additionally, our TSE-ISO-EN 22000 certification proves that we uphold high quality standards in our production processes. These quality control processes include raw material inspections, in-process checks, product traceability, as well as microbiological and chemical testing.

Our Motto: The Secret is in the Dough

Our guiding principle is “The secret is in the dough.” In frozen foods, the most critical factor in preserving freshness and flavor is the quality of the dough. We draw on years of experience to fine-tune every aspect—from the pH balance of the water used in our dough to the ash content of the flour. This expertise is one of the key elements that sets us apart from our competitors. Thanks to IQF technology, our products are frozen to -40°C within minutes. This process halts microbial growth and preserves the food’s freshness and nutritional value.

We Believe Frozen Foods Will Become Even More Popular in the Future

We believe that as awareness of frozen foods as a healthy and natural alternative increases, the industry will continue to grow and these products will become even more widespread in the future. Offering quick and healthy meal options for busy individuals, these additive-free products retain their freshness for extended periods. We educate consumers through both traditional and digital channels on proper storage and cooking methods for frozen foods. At Aktaşlar Lezzet Grubu, we will continue to lead the frozen food sector with our innovative and trustworthy approach, while delivering healthy and delicious products to our customers.

With a mission to bring authentic Turkish flavors to the global gastronomic stage, Aktaşlar Lezzet Grubu began its brand journey in 1981 with a modest restaurant serving 40 people in Ordu. Under the leadership of the second generation, this family-run business has grown into a success story, gaining worldwide recognition through beloved brands and franchise models like Aktaşlar, Pidemiss, Nelipide, and Pideor.

Now active in more than 30 countries—including partnerships with local and international retail chains—we continue to strengthen our presence in the frozen food and fast-food sectors with innovative products such as vegan lahmacun and margarita pide. Through collaborations with global airlines like Lufthansa, Delta Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Saudia, we are enhancing our global reach and aim to become a leading brand with our expanding export network.