Türkiye has filed an application to grant its best-known foodstuff, the Turkish döner kebab, the same EU protection as other European favorites like Neapolitan pizza and Spanish jamon serrano. The term döner comes from the verb ‘dönmek’ which means ‘turning’ in English, but is commonly known as döner kebab in Europe. Türkiye wants to register the name döner in Europe so that only producers following specific production methods and product specifications can use it. If successful, only large slabs of beef and lamb sliced thinly or chicken cutlets of a specific thickness can be labeled as döner. The European döner economy is estimated to be around €3.5bn and is supported by the Association of Turkish Döner Producers in Europe.
While some traditional European foods have protection under the EU’s protected designation of origin (PDO) quality scheme, döner does not fall under this category as it is based on a traditional cooking technique rather than a specific geographical region. This is why foods like Parma ham have a geographical indication while jamon serrano enjoys protected status based on tradition. The use of traditional terms for food products has led to controversy in the past, such as with the term ‘prošek’ for a dessert wine from Croatia conflicting with Italian Prosecco. In the case of döner, potential complaints from Greece could arise, as they claim to have introduced döner in Europe and call it ‘gyro’.
A consultation phase is now open for three months where countries can challenge the registration of döner by raising intellectual property issues. The döner economy in Europe is significant, and the protection of the name would ensure that only producers meeting specific criteria can use it. The Association of Turkish Döner Producers in Europe has been supporting the sector since 1996, and seeking EU protection for döner is a step towards ensuring the authenticity and quality of the product. The application by Türkiye highlights the importance of preserving the traditional method of preparing döner and ensuring that consumers receive a high-quality product.
The application for EU protection of döner kebab is part of Türkiye’s efforts to preserve the authenticity and quality of its best-known foodstuff. The protection would ensure that only producers following specific production methods and product specifications can use the name döner. The European döner economy is estimated to be worth around €3.5bn, and this protection would help maintain the sector’s reputation and quality standards. While some European foods have protection under the PDO scheme, döner’s traditional cooking technique means it does not fall under this category and must seek alternative forms of protection.
The controversy surrounding food speciality labels, such as the term ‘prošek’ for a Croatian dessert wine conflicting with Italian Prosecco, highlights the importance of protecting traditional foods and their names. In the case of döner, potential challenges from Greece, which claims to have introduced it in Europe and calls it ‘gyro’, could arise during the consultation phase. The Association of Turkish Döner Producers in Europe has been advocating for the protection of döner since 1996 and supports the application for EU protection. By seeking EU protection for döner, Türkiye is taking steps to ensure the authenticity and quality of its best-known foodstuff, helping to maintain the reputation of the döner sector in Europe and beyond.
