EU threatens to kibosh kebabs with key ingredient ban

THE future of the kebab is hanging in the balance, it was claimed last night, after EU plans to combat heart disease threatened to outlaw the fast food.

A move by the European parliament to ban the phosphates that keep seasoned kebab meat moist and flavoursome could sound their death knell.

An estimated 1.3 million doner kebabs are sold every day in the UK from more than 20,000 outlets.

Ibrahim Dogus, the chairman of the British Takeaway Campaign, an umbrella organisation that represents fast food groups including the Kebab Association, said: “An EU ban on the doner would damage the takeaway industry – a sector which generates £4.5billion in economic growth to the UK and supports 231,000 jobs. Doner kebabs are a much loved staple ... and have been enjoyed since the 8th century BC.”

A scientific review in 2012 suggested a possible link between phosphates, when used as food additives, and heart disease, although the evidence remains inconclusive.

The European parliament is due to vote on the issue in a fortnight.