Friday, August 9
End of the döner? Court to decide on Berlin’s favourite fast food
2024 is looking like a big year for döner diplomacy. Earlier this year, German president Frank Walter-Steinmeier invited a Berlin Imbiss owner to accompany him on a state visit to Türkiye (and brought a whole 60-kilo skewer of döner meat along too). Now, a petition from Türkiye to the European Union appears to threaten the future of the döner as we know it.
The International Döner Kebab Association, based in Istanbul, applied in 2022 to include döner kebabs on the EU list of “Traditional Specialities Guaranteed”, meaning that in order to be called a döner, the meat would need to be prepared according to a uniform procedure throughout the EU. So, how should döner meat be prepared? If using beef, it must be from cattle that are at least 16 months old, while lamb needs to from sheep that are at least six months; chicken döner must be made from breast and/or legs.
This ruling has been met with disapproval from Germany, however, who like to do things they’re own way. The EU court in Brussels is currently hearing objections from Germany, who want to be able to use veal, younger beef and even turkey meat in their kebabs.
The court is yet to make its decision, but neither ruling would introduce regulation on salad, sauce or bread.
