After the mici recipe currently used in Romania was threatened with a ban starting June following the entry into force of European regulation that prohibits the use of sodium carbonates, a preservative and an antioxidant in the composition of these products, Romania asked the European Commission to include the mici among the traditional European recipes. This would exempt mici from being banned. The Romanian Government will on Thursday (May 2) send the EU a request from the Romanian Meat Producers' Association, asking for the mici recipe to be included among traditional recipes in the EU.

Sodium carbonates, a preservative and an antioxidant are essential to the mici recipe, according to producers. If approved by the EC, the mici recipe would join other traditional foods such as burgers and the Spanish chorizo, which do not fall under the EU rules as they are listed as traditional products.

The Romanian Government's reaction to the prospect of mici being banned in Romania came quickly, especially as the new broke on May 1, which is seen as the opening season for barbecuing, with mici being among the favorite barbecue products. The Government's official statement underlines that it will do anything in its power to keep the mici from being banned in Romania. Commentators argue the mici might also have a political dimension, as during many political campaigns, various parties organize events where mici are given for free.

The EU level discussion however refers only to industrially produced mici. In 2012, in Romania 22,000 tonnes of mici were sold, 72 percent of them from large hypermarkets and supermarkets.

The popularity of the local mici was also used by fast food operator McDonald's, which recently launched the McMic, a burger with mici meat.

editor@romania-insider.com