Posted on 10/07/2011 6:13:42 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
France bans ketchup in cafeterias
Well, it's allowed with one side dish (guess which one). But putting it on veal or boeuf bourguignon is now interdit at schools nationwide.
By Kim Willsher, Los Angeles Times
October 6, 2011
Reporting from Paris
First France built a wall around its language to protect it from pernicious Anglo-Saxon invaders. Now it is throwing up a shield against another perceived threat to its culture and civilization: ketchup.
In an effort to promote healthful eating and, it has been suggested, to protect traditional Gallic cuisine, the French government has banned school and college cafeterias nationwide from offering the American tomato-based condiment with any food but — of all things — French fries.
As a result, students can no longer use ketchup on such traditional dishes as veal stew, no matter how gristly, and boeuf bourguignon, regardless of its fat content.
Moreover, French fries can be offered only once a week, usually with steak hache, or burger. Not clear is whether the food police will send students to detention if they dip their burgers into the ketchup that accompanies their fries.
"France must be an example to the world in the quality of its food, starting with its children," said Bruno Le Maire, the agriculture and food minister.
Ronald Reagan's White House may have considered ketchup — made famous by Henry John "H J." Heinz, who produced the first bottle in 1876 — a vegetable. But Gallic gastronomes view it with the same disdain as American television series, English words and McDonald's restaurants: unwelcome cultural impostors.
Jacques Hazan, president of the Federation of School Pupils' and College Students' Parents Councils, told the Times of London that the new regulations are a "victory."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Good to see that France is willing to lead the way on the all-important condiment issue in these troubled times.
Lunacy.
Haven’t the French figured out they’ve got more pressing domestic problems than whether or not Petit Jean-Claude likes to his burger with Heinz?
Just relabel it “Tomato Vinaigrette” and we’re set to go.
When I was in Holland many years ago, the McD’s there had mayo with a touch of garlic and I liked it very much. I am not a big ketchup user but like some from time to time.
Go to your room!
But, Mama, I -AM- in my room !
You have to love the French - last time I was there I had a Duck, pork and sausage cassoulet that had enough fat per portion to knock a hippo unconscious and they ban tomato ketchup on health grounds! :D
Mind you, I half blame my American friends who continue to patronise gallic sorts by continuing to call them ‘french fries’. Do as we Brits do - stick two fingers up Churchill style to le grenouilles and call them ‘CHIPS’!
Les Français sont des abrutis et qui s’inquiète ?
Missleading headline. It should read “France bans ketchup in SCHOOL cafeterias”
The difference is enormous. It also makes this pretty much a non-story, which is why they left the word out of the headline.
I highly doubt that are prohibiting kids from bringing their own.
LOL! You stinker!
I KNEW you were gonna say that.
Poor leadership.
Poor strategy.
They fought to the end.
http://www.dienbienphu.org/english/index.htm
"Not a single position remains in French hands since 11:00 this morning. Their garrisons were overrun; they did not surrender. Eliane 10 fell at dawn. There remained only two officers, entrenched on the roof of a shelter."
Good to see that France is willing to lead the way on the all-important condiment issue in these troubled times.
LOL!
Thanks for the laugh. I needed it.
I thought we called that Freedom Sauce®?
So on one hand, France takes draconian measures to protect its language and cuisine from English-speaking countries
On the other hand, they allow anyone from Algeria to move to France, so now France is 10% Muslim.
Frogs: enjoy your Halal ratatouille while French “youts” burn tires in front of your maison.
I’ll hand over my bottle of ketchup when they pry it from my cold dead hands. Say, can I have some of your frenchfries?
—I highly doubt that are prohibiting kids from bringing their own.—
I dunno, I have it from a reliable source that Yogi Bear barely escaped with his life.
My french fry dip of choice is tartar sauce. lub it.
That could be misinterpreted. The "V" for victory two-fingered signal to the bartender has long been recognized as the Roman way of ordering five beers.
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