Overview

• The Consumer Protection Ministry carried out 1,250 inspections since autumn 2024 and found that roughly one third of kebabs sold in NRW do not meet official doner criteria.
• Inspectors recorded 428 instances where vendors labeled high-minced-meat spits as doner kebabs in violation of the rule capping minced meat at 60%.
• German meat guidelines mandate that authentic doner kebabs consist of thin, layered slices of meat rather than predominantly minced content.
• Consumer Protection Minister Silke Gorißen has instructed local authorities to enforce correct product names and prevent consumers from being misled.
• Shoppers are advised to check for distinct meat layers and natural color variations on the rotating spit to identify genuine doner kebabs.