Belgium Petitions United Nations for OG ‘French’ Fries Status

Belgium is currently in the process of having potato fries recognized as a part of the country’s cultural heritage. Yes, Belgium.

For years, Belgium and France have been arguing over which country invented the popular side dish. Either Belgians began slicing and frying potatoes in the late 17th century or both nations started using this method about a century later.

Belgium is putting its foot down and petitioning the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to have fries permanently associated with Belgian culture.

Though Belgians have interesting ideas about mayonnaise’s relationship with potatoes, this request is within reason. Belgian fries are typically sold in paper cones from one of about 5,000 “fritkots” throughout the nation. These fritkot shacks permeate 10 times more market space, per capita, than McDonald’s restaurants in the United States.

Should Belgian petitioners gain the support of one of their three cultural ministers, Belgian fries would be added to UNESCO’s cultural preservation list with other notable items like Turkish coffee.

We might have to stop calling them French fries.

H/t Reuters