A Danish butcher's three-year legal battle over a single lowercase letter has finally ended. Food Minister Jacob Jensen visited Lene Hammer Larsen's butcher shop in Ikast to show support. She had refused to pay a 40,000 kroner fine for writing 'egg' in lowercase on meatball packaging.
The minister purchased meatballs during his visit and announced regulatory changes. Similar cases will now receive warnings rather than fines. The original penalty sparked public debate about proportionality in food safety enforcement.
Lene Hammer Larsen expressed relief at the outcome. She said she never dared believe the case would go this far. The butcher described feeling vindicated that the justice system works when you fight for something.
Food Minister Jensen acknowledged the fine seemed unreasonable from a layperson's perspective. He stressed the need for high food safety standards while treating businesses fairly. Current rules require allergens to stand out from other ingredients, such as through capital letters.
The minister confirmed food safety rules remain unchanged despite the new enforcement approach. He admitted meatballs rank among his top three favorite dishes while leaving with a package of the controversial products.
This case highlights how minor technical violations can create disproportionate burdens for small businesses. The minister's personal intervention suggests political recognition that enforcement should match violation severity.