A Turkish proposal to enforce strict regulations on the preparation of doner kebabs in the European Union has been withdrawn. The initiative aimed at securing a “Traditional Speciality Guaranteed” label, which would have imposed guidelines on ingredient usage.
If approved, the regulations would have particularly impacted Germany’s kebab industry, where the doner has evolved significantly from its original form in Turkey. Turkish authorities maintained that the doner should be regarded as a national dish introduced to Europe through Turkish migration. However, German officials argued that their version of the kebab is an integral part of their national cuisine.
According to Turkey’s International Doner Federation (Udofed), the traditional method of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie dates back to the 16th century. They proposed that the regulations include specifications for meat sourcing, thickness of meat slices, types of knives to be used, and rules governing marinades. For instance, the proposal stated that beef must come from cows over 16 months old, lamb must be at least six months old, and veal and turkey meat would be banned.
The German variant of doner often includes veal and is served with vegetables and sauces, reflecting a European adaptation of the Turkish dish. The Turkish federation did not consult Germany’s kebab industry before submitting the proposal, leading to significant pushback from stakeholders and the German government.
Former German food and agriculture minister Cem Özdemir stated that the decision on how doner should be prepared in Germany rests with its citizens and that there is no need for regulations from Turkey. If the Turkish federation had succeeded, it would have affected a significant industry in Germany, where around 1.5 million Turkish citizens reside and approximately 60,000 people are employed in the kebab sector.
The Turkish federation announced on September 23 that it had withdrawn its bid, following considerable opposition. Attempts to reach a compromise failed, and an EU official indicated that the proposal was likely heading towards rejection.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly9g9g7j36o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss