Turkey is trying to secure ‘traditional speciality guaranteed’ status for doner, strictly defining it as beef and lamb horizontally sliced into cutlets with a thickness of 3-5mm, or chicken cutlets of 1-2cm.

Although the Turkish application appeared to anticipate a challenge from Greece — home of gyros — an unexpected objection was filed at the last minute by Germany, The Guardian reports.

It comes amid German anxieties over “dönerflation”, with one political party proposing doner price controls earlier this year.

Germany argues that strict requirements around doner would add unnecessary bureaucracy and drive prices up even further.

Turkey and Germany have six months to reach an agreement on the issue, otherwise it will go before the European Commission.