Turkey's bold move: Döner kebab trademark sparks European feud

Turkey has taken the first steps to make kebab a legally registered traditional dish. Will this change anything in the daily lives of Polish enthusiasts of mixed meat on a thin wrap?

The Turks were seriously concerned about their national heritage, so they decided to do something about it. Specifically, they intend to trademark the name döner kebab and ensure that no counterfeit product can boast this proud title.

"Our goal is to make döner kebab a world brand, to protect it in all countries of the world, and to make every place where it is served a symbol of the culture it represents," says Ihlas Huriye Ozner, head of UDOFED, the federation of döner producers, as reported by "Wyborcza" via the Information Agency.

In connection with the protection Turkey is applying for, it is very possible that the favorite "kebabs" of Poles will soon cease to be called kebabs, and producers will have to come up with an original name for the meat they offer. Ihlas Huriye Ozner emphasizes that the true döner kebab has a specific composition, particular raw materials, and production standards.

What exactly do the Turkish claims mean? If the döner kebab is trademarked, the regulations will specify, among other things, how thick the pieces of meat can be, how they can be cut, and what type of meat can be used (beef, lamb, and chicken). European kebab? There is no such thing. Only döner, as depicted in ancient illustrations, spinning on a vertical spit and overseen by a Turk with a fez.

For obvious reasons, the Turks' plans do not sit well with the Germans and Greeks. Berlin kebabs are more famous than their currywurst, and the Greeks also claim priority for the döner, which they call gyros.

The European kebab market is worth approximately 3 billion pounds.