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Horse DNA in beefburgers: what has happened, where and how Horse DNA in beefburgers: what has happened, where and how
(about 11 hours later)
What has happened? How did horsemeat get into the food chain?
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has found traces of horse and pig DNA in a range of burgers on sale in stores across Ireland and the UK. The traces of horse DNA were found in 10 burgers – most were low levels but one registered horse DNA of 29% relative to beef content. More than two-thirds of the beef ready-meals tested had traces of pig DNA. One of the factories involved, Dalepak Hambleton, says it is likely to have come from a minor ingredient in the burgers, as all but one of the burgers had very low levels of the DNA. The investigations will focus on suppliers to the factories. The huge amount of DNA in one product does raise questions about whether more major ingredients were contaminated.
The traces were found in food produced in two plants in Ireland, Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods, and one in the UK, Dalepak Hambleton.
There is a list of the products that were tested here. The tests were only done on a selection of frozen burgers bought by the FSAI. The burgers were in the value ranges – tests were not done on more expensive products.
How did horse get into the food chain?
A spokesman for one of the factories involved, Dalepak Hambleton, says it is likely to have come from a minor ingredient in the burgers, as all but one of the burgers had very low levels of the DNA. The investigations will focus on suppliers to the factories. The huge amount of DNA in one product does raise questions about whether more major ingredients were contaminated.
A statement from Silvercrest said: "Silvercrest has never purchased or traded in equine product and has launched a full-scale investigation into two continental European third-party suppliers who are the suspected source of the product in question."A statement from Silvercrest said: "Silvercrest has never purchased or traded in equine product and has launched a full-scale investigation into two continental European third-party suppliers who are the suspected source of the product in question."
As well as the burgers, the FSAI analysis found small traces of horse DNA in batches of raw ingredients, including some imported from the Netherlands and Spain. However, these weren't ingredients that had been used in the tested burgers.As well as the burgers, the FSAI analysis found small traces of horse DNA in batches of raw ingredients, including some imported from the Netherlands and Spain. However, these weren't ingredients that had been used in the tested burgers.
Raymond Ellard, the FSAI's director of consumer protection, told RTE radio this morning that the low level of the DNA did not seem to be "evidence of some widespread subterfuge where someone is trying to substitute horse meat for beef".Raymond Ellard, the FSAI's director of consumer protection, told RTE radio this morning that the low level of the DNA did not seem to be "evidence of some widespread subterfuge where someone is trying to substitute horse meat for beef".
How does pig meat get into beef burgers? How does pig meat get into beefburgers?
Meat from different animals is processed in the plants identified by the FSAI, and it is possible that traces contaminated the areas that were processing the burgers. Meat from different animals is processed in the plants identified by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), and it is possible that traces contaminated the areas that were processing the burgers.
Is the horse meat coming from knackers yards? Are there any health risks?
It is more likely that suppliers who run factories that also process horse meats have managed to contaminate products being sold to the burger makers, or may even have used the horse meat to produce some of those ingredients. There shouldn't be health risks simply from eating horsemeat – it is widely consumed in other countries. But the fact its origin is unknown could ring alarm bells. The FSAI says it doesn't consider the presence of horse or pig DNA in the burgers to be a food safety risk, but it is keen to find out how it got there.
Are there any health risks? Does it taste any different?
There shouldn't be health risks simply from eating horse meat – it is widely consumed in a number of countries. However, the fact its origin is unknown could ring alarm bells. The FSAI says it doesn't consider the presence of horse or pig DNA in the burgers to be a food safety risk, but it is keen to find out how it got there.
Does it taste any different?
Apparently not. The problem was detected through routine testing rather than after consumer complaints, suggesting many of those who had bought the products did not notice anything unusual.Apparently not. The problem was detected through routine testing rather than after consumer complaints, suggesting many of those who had bought the products did not notice anything unusual.
Is it illegal? Is it illegal?
It isn't illegal to sell horse meat to be eaten in the UK. However, there are laws on how food is described on packaging, and the FSAI tests were part of its work to make sure firms were complying with these. It is not yet talking about taking action against the manufacturers, and says retailers have withdrawn the products voluntarily. However, if the investigations suggest rules have been broken there could be later legal repercussions. It isn't illegal to sell horsemeat to be eaten in the UK. However, there are laws on how food is described on packaging, and the FSAI tests were part of its work to make sure firms were complying with these. It is not yet talking about taking action against the manufacturers, and says retailers have withdrawn the products voluntarily. However, if the investigations suggest rules have been broken there could be later legal repercussions.
How can you guarantee the content of your burger? How can you guarantee the content of your burger?
You could buy one of the ones on the list that tested negative: Iceland Beef Burgers, Supervalue Daily Basics Beef Burgers and Simply M&S British Beef Burgers all tested negative for traces of horse and pig DNA in the FSAI's tests. You could buy one of the ones on the list that tested negative: Iceland Beef Burgers, Supervalue Daily Basics Beef Burgers and Simply M&S British Beef Burgers all tested negative for traces of horse and pig DNA in the FSAI's tests. A good butcher who knows the source of the meat on sale should also help reassure you.
A good butcher who knows the source of the meat on sale should also help reasure you. Or you could make your own …