Turkey Withdraws Bid for Strict Doner Kebab Regulations in Europe

Tue Sep 30 2025 03:35:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant move, Turkey has withdrawn its attempt to impose strict regulations on doner kebab production across the EU, which could have clashed with Germany's popular kebab adaptations.

Turkey's bid to enforce strict regulations on how doner kebabs are made in the EU has been withdrawn, acknowledging opposition primarily from Germany. The proposed rules would have altered the traditional practices and ingredient choices that have evolved in the European kebab industry. This decision reflects the complex cultural exchange and adaptations of culinary traditions between Turkey and Germany, particularly regarding the beloved doner kebab.

A Turkish attempt to force kebab shops in the EU to adhere to strict rules on how to make a doner kebab has been withdrawn.

If the bid for a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed label had succeeded, restrictions would have been imposed on the types of ingredients that could be used.

Germany's kebab industry would have particularly skewered, as the quintessential high street doner has evolved over the decades to be rather different than the original from Turkey.

Turkish authorities argued the doner should be viewed a national dish that spread to Europe through the migration of Turks. But German officials said its take on the kebab had become part of its own national cuisine.

The traditional way of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie goes back to the 16th Century, according to Turkey's International Doner Federation (Udofed), and the name doner is related to that cooking technique.

It asked the EU to impose uniform rules across the bloc requiring that:

the meat would come from a cow aged over 16 months, lamb aged at least six months, or chicken thighs and breasts
veal and turkey meat would be banned
meat would have to be sliced to a thickness of 3-5mm
the type of knife would be regulated and marinades would be subject to rules too

The German variant of a kebab often uses veal in a flatbread packed with vegetables including red cabbage, pickles, red onions and topped with sauces - and so could be viewed as a European take on the Turkish classic.

The Turkish federation failed to consult Germany's kebab industry, which hit back with the support of the government in Berlin. Former German food and agriculture minister Cem Özdemir, a politician of Turkish origin, emphasized that subsistence laws should reflect local preferences.

If Udofed had followed through with its bid, then a European industry dominated by the Turkish diaspora would have been affected. In Germany alone, there are more than 1.5 million Turkish citizens and about 60,000 people are employed in the industry.

The Turkish federation informed the European Commission of its withdrawal on September 23, amidst a significant public outcry against the proposal, which was facing likely rejection.