Findus Beef Lasagne Products Found to Contain 60% Horse Meat

As part of its ongoing investigation into mislabelled meat, the Food Standards Agency has confirmed that the meat content of beef lasagne products recalled by Findus has tested positive for more than 60% horse meat.

8 Feb 2013 --- Findus withdrew the beef lasagne products after its French supplier, Comigel, raised concerns about the type of meat used in the lasagne.

The FSA have no evidence to suggest that this is a food safety risk. However, the FSA has ordered Findus to test the lasagne for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, or 'bute'. Animals treated with phenylbutazone are not allowed to enter the food chain as it may pose a risk to human health.

The Findus beef lasagne was distributed to the main UK supermarkets and smaller convenience stores. Findus has already begun a full recall of these products.

People who have bought any Findus beef lasagne products are advised not to eat them and return them to the shop they bought them from.

Bute is not allowed in the food chain because in humans it can cause rare cases of a serious blood disorder, aplastic anaemia. Because it is not possible to say what triggers the anaemia, it is not possible to identify a safe level of residue in meat.

Bute was banned from use in humans after it was found that about 1 person in 30,000 recipients suffered a serious side effect. But in levels reported in previous FSA testing of contaminated meat, the maximum level found would have to be multiplied a thousand-fold to be at the same level as that which used to be given to humans.

This suggests that even if someone eats contaminated meat, the risk of damage to their health is very low.

Following the announcement by the Food Standards Agency that horsemeat has been found in Findus beef lasagna products, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has issued the following statement: “It is completely unacceptable that a product which says it’s beef lasagne turns out to be mainly horsemeat. Consumers have a right to expect that food is exactly what it says on the label.”

“The presence of unauthorised ingredients cannot be tolerated. This is especially true when those ingredients are likely to be unacceptable to consumers, or where there is any conceivable risk to human health.”

“The responsibility for the safety and authenticity of food lies with those who produce it, and who sell or provide it to the final consumer. I know that food producers, retailers and caterers are as concerned as we are at the course of recent events.”

“The FSA is urgently investigating individual suspicious incidents, which they have taken up with authorities and police across Europe.”

“The FSA and Defra are also conducting a survey of processed beef products in the UK – including supplies to schools and hospitals – in order to assess whether there are any significant levels of improperly described meat.”

“In addition, the food industry agreed on Monday at their meeting with Food and Farming Minister David Heath and the FSA that they would share the results of their own testing with the FSA and make the results publicly available. David Heath is meeting major food businesses again for a further update on Wednesday 13 February.”

“The FSA has today requested that producers and retailers test all their processed beef products by the end of next week for the presence of horsemeat, and for residues of the veterinary medicine ‘bute’.”

“The Food Standards Agency, Defra, and the Department of Health are working closely with businesses and trade bodies along the whole food chain to root out any illegal activity and enforce food safety and authenticity regulations. Consumers can be confident that we will take whatever action we consider necessary if we discover evidence of criminality or negligence.”