DFV-AAMP Competition Q&A
DFV-AAMP QUALITY COMPETITION FOR SAUSAGE & HAM — Q&A
What is the competition all about?
Every three years, the German Butchers’ Association (DFV) holds a competition in Frankfurt as part of the IFFA, the world’s leading trade fair for meat processing. To aid American processors in participating, AAMP formed a partnership with the DFV in 2016 to host a “satellite” competition in the U.S. Every three years, the DFV sends its judges from the IFFA to the U.S. to evaluate products. The results from this competition will be admitted to the official results of the IFFA show in Frankfurt. Both the conduct of the competition, as well as the certificates and medals, are identical to those held during the IFFA.
When does it take place?
The competition will take place Jan. 27-30, 2025, in Ames, IA. The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory will be our host for the 2025 competition. AAMP staff will be on hand to document the event, including periodic live streams on Facebook. The competition will be open to the public, including AAMP members who wish to observe the judging process.
How does it work?
This competition is open to U.S. Processor Members of AAMP only. Please visit www.aamp.com/dfv-aamp to review the conditions of participation, instructions for product delivery, registration, and payment forms.
What products fall under the Sausage and Ham categories?
All products must be made in-house at the participating plant’s establishment.
- Sausage Examples: Cooked sausage such as mortadella, ham sausage, pork sausage, frankfurters, bratwurst; raw sausages such as salami, Milanese; cooked sausages such as liver sausage, aspic, etc.
- Ham Examples: Cooked ham or bacon; raw ham or bacon (smoked, dried, or cured); other smoked, dried, or cured meat products (jerky, etc.)
There is no limit to the number of products a company can enter. Products must continue to meet U.S. regulations. Products are evaluated based on exterior condition/texture; appearance, color, and composition; and consistency, smell, and taste. Products are evaluated by certified master butchers from Germany only.
How much does it cost?
The participation fee is $110, per product, including tax. Discounts are available for multiple entries. Please see the conditions of participation for more details.
Where do I send my product?
Products can be shipped to the Iowa State Meat Laboratory beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. The deadline to receive shipped products is Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, by end of the business day. Please send all tracking numbers to Nelson Gaydos (nelson@aamp.com) and Matthew Wenger (mwenger@iastate.edu). Products can also be accepted in person on Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM CT. Products can also be dropped off on Sunday, January 26, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please contact Nelson to make your arrangements.
Participating companies can ship products to:
Matthew Wenger
Iowa State University
188 Meats Laboratory
914 Stange Rd
Ames IA 50011
AAMP assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged products during shipping. Please allow adequate time to ship products due to delays from carriers.
PLEASE REVIEW THE DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHIPPING PRODUCTS FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DFV.
What awards are given?
The winners will receive either a gold, silver, or bronze medal from the DFV. The champion and overall winner will be the one who gets the most gold medals in total. In case of a tie, the number of silver and bronze medals will decide the winner. The grand prize for sausage and the grand prize for ham will go to the participant who receives the most gold medals in sausage, and ham, respectively. The DFV will award a Cup of Honour to any participant who wins at least five gold medals.
When will I receive my awards if I win?
Representatives from the DFV, including President Herbert Dohrmann, will award certificates, medals, and trophies during an awards ceremony during the IFFA show on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany, at 2:00 PM. We will also have a second ceremony during the AAMP Convention in Kansas City, July 25-27, for those award winners who were unable to make the trip to Germany. In the event you can’t attend either ceremony in person, the DFV will ship the awards to the AAMP office for later shipment to our members.
If you have any questions, please contact Nelson Gaydos or call 717-367-1168.
