European parliament saves the kebab

European parliament saves the kebab
By Robert Hackwill
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A proposal to ban the popular dish on health grounds because of high phosphate levels has been defeated by just three votes, to the relief of Germany's Turkish fast-food chefs.

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It appears the kebab, favourite fast food for late-night revelling Germans, is safe. In the European parliament EU lawmakers narrowly defeated plans to ban an additive that is considered key in industrial meats for the popular dish.

Kebabs use phosphate to keep the meat moist as it sits on its skewer.

The vote was a close-run thing, the ban being defeated by only three votes.

Proceedings were closely watched by Germany's Turkısh döner kebab industry.

It argued it would be wiped out if such a ban were introduced, while those proposing the ban insist the phosphate used in the frozen meat is a health risk for cardiovascular diseases.

While the human body needs phosphates, which is present in all processed and baked foods, excessive amounts can be bad for the heart and liver.

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