In a world where consumers demand clarity about what they eat, OK to Shop (Oktoshop) has developed a groundbreaking technology that combines AI-powered image recognition with human verification to instantly determine whether a product complies with halal requirements or is safe for people with allergies or dietary restrictions.
Founded in Chile and now expanding globally, OK to Shop helps retailers, e-commerce platforms, and food service providers ensure transparency, consistency, and trust across their entire product ecosystem. Its technology goes beyond classification—it explains why a product is or isn’t suitable, bridging the gap between data and informed consumer choice.
We spoke with Sebastián Wilson, CEO of OK to Shop, about how this solution could transform the Gulf’s dynamic food retail and hospitality markets—where inclusivity, compliance, and consumer trust are key differentiators.
How does OK to Shop ensure instant and accurate halal compliance and allergen information?
We combine image-recognition technology with human verification. Our engine interprets every detail on a product’s label—ingredients, traces, warnings, and manufacturer certifications—and cross-references this data with our halal and allergen compliance rulesets.
Additionally, we work with certification bodies that inform us when a product gains or loses compliance status.
When a user scans a barcode or searches by name or category, the system instantly reports whether the product is suitable for them—and most importantly, explains why: identifying the ingredient, additive, or trace that triggered either validation or an alert.
To keep information updated, our field teams continuously photograph products in stores, while our user community reports new or modified items. We also have partnerships with food manufacturers who provide real-time updates to their product catalogs.
Why is this solution particularly relevant for the retail and food service sectors in the UAE?
The UAE is a diverse, demanding, and high-standard market—where religious, health, and lifestyle requirements coexist. The ability to clearly communicate whether a product complies with halal regulations or is safe for common allergens (gluten, nuts, dairy, etc.) directly impacts consumer trust, brand reputation, and return rates.
For retail and food service, our solution translates into more inclusive product assortments and menus, better omnichannel experiences, and lower operational risks.
It also ensures consistent qualification criteria across multiple stores, dark kitchens, and delivery channels—reducing discrepancies and increasing customer satisfaction.
In a global destination like the UAE, with significant tourism and expatriate populations, this level of clarity and traceability offers a tangible competitive advantage.
Can your system integrate with leading supermarket chains and e-commerce platforms in the region? Is it customizable?
Absolutely—and that’s one of our main differentiators, and the reason every retailer who has adopted our solution continues with us today.
We provide a REST API that enhances e-commerce capabilities—such as chatbots, semantic search, and personalized content—and a JavaScript snippet that can be integrated in minutes to deliver an instant improvement in customer experience.
Our service enhances centralized catalogs, mobile apps, POS systems, and e-commerce websites. Implementation is modular, multilingual, and compliant with local regulations.
We co-develop evaluation criteria (for example, alcohol thresholds or ingredient policies), interface design, and business rules to align with each market. Importantly, we cover the client’s full product range, including private labels and direct-import products.
How does your solution help consumers trust what they buy and consume?
Trust is built on three pillars:
- Transparency: We don’t just show whether a product is suitable—we show why, with a clear explanation and the date of last update.
- Personalization: Each user defines their religious, dietary, or lifestyle preferences (halal, allergies, intolerances, vegetarian, vegan, etc.). The app and embedded modules respond to that profile, reducing ambiguity and saving time.
- Participation and traceability: If a consumer notices a label change, they can send a photo for verification, helping improve data quality and reinforcing trust.
This collaborative cycle also extends to producers, importers, and certification authorities. Finally, the system suggests suitable alternatives within the same category, ensuring consumers always have safe and convenient choices—especially valuable in e-commerce environments.
Are you seeking distributors, retail partnerships, or direct implementation agreements in the Gulf?
We’re actively seeking strategic distributors and retail alliances in the Gulf. Given the immediate value of our service, we wouldn’t be surprised if a major supermarket chain expressed interest in implementing OK to Shop directly.
Our operational model is lean and scalable. In each country, we work with a small local field team dedicated to product photography and catalog updates, while all data processing, nutrition analysis, and development are managed by our core team in Chile.
This structure keeps costs and response times low. Therefore, our ideal partners in the Gulf would act as our commercial and client-support arm, helping us bring food transparency and inclusivity to one of the most sophisticated retail ecosystems in the world.
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