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The Kebab War: Germany vs. Turkey in a Battle Over Döner Rights
In an unexpected culinary clash, Germany and Turkey find themselves amid a heated dispute over the beloved döner kebab. What seems like a simple street food is now at the heart of a complex debate about tradition, authenticity, and market control. Welcome to the “Kebab War,” a showdown that highlights the fascinating tensions that arise when ethnic cuisines cross borders and gain global popularity.
The origins of this conflict can be traced to Turkey’s application to the European Commission, seeking to grant the döner kebab a “traditional speciality” protection label. Similar to the prestigious status of Neapolitan pizza and Spanish jamon serrano, this label would ensure that only producers adhering to specific production methods and product specifications could use the term “döner.” For Turkey, this is a move to preserve the authenticity and cultural heritage of their iconic dish.
On the other side of the battlefield, Germany has filed a staunch opposition to Turkey’s application. Led by the Bonn-based German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the German resistance is fueled by feedback from various associations of German producers. These producers, who have made the döner kebab a staple in German street food culture, are keen to maintain their creative freedom in making and marketing their versions of…
