Bidding war over fast-food costume renews old feud over Canadian snack

The costume measures 56in in length and comes with a silver body suit for an ‘authentic tinfoil look’ – a nod to purists who maintain that a donair must be wrapped in foil when served. Photograph: surplus.gov.ab.ca

At some point over the last decade, the Canadian province of Alberta acquired a costume consisting of a silver jumpsuit and a lifelike depiction of a giant pita bread stuffed with meat.

Now, the provincial government has decided to part with the outfit in an online auction that has renewed a longstanding feud over the proper recipe for the beloved late-night snack.