Three held in horsemeat mislabelling investigation
Three held in horsemeat mislabelling investigation
(35 minutes later)
Police investigating allegations that horsemeat was mislabelled as beef have arrested three men on suspicion of offences under the Fraud Act.
Police investigating allegations that horsemeat was mislabelled as beef have arrested three men on suspicion of offences under the Fraud Act.
Two men, aged 64 and 42, were held at Farmbox Meats Ltd, of Llandre near Aberystwyth, said Dyfed-Powys Police.
Two men, aged 64 and 42, were arrested at Farmbox Meats Ltd, of Llandre near Aberystwyth and a 63-year-old at the Peter Boddy Licensed Slaughterhouse, in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
A 63-year-old was arrested at the Peter Boddy Licensed Slaughterhouse, in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
Both firms have denied any wrongdoing.
Both companies have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
An Asda Bolognese sauce has become the first fresh beef product withdrawn, over fears it contains horse DNA.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) suspended operations at both sites after raids at the premises on Tuesday.
The supermarket giant withdrew its 500g own-label Beef Bolognese sauce, saying a preliminary test result suggested the presence of horse DNA.
It also seized meat found on the premises as well as paperwork, including customer lists from the two companies.
Concerns about horsemeat in processed beef products first came to light on 15 January and until now recalls by supermarkets have involved frozen products.
Meanwhile, supermarket giant Asda has withdrawn its 500g Beef Bolognese sauce, saying a preliminary test result suggests the presence of horse DNA in the product.
As a precaution, Asda is also withdrawing three other beef-based own-label products from the same supplier: 600g Beef Broth Soup; 500g Meat Feast Pasta Sauce and 400g Chilli Con Carne Soup.
As a precaution, it is also withdrawing three other beef-based products produced by the same supplier: 600g Beef Broth Soup; 500g Meat Feast Pasta Sauce and 400g Chilli Con Carne Soup.
Painkiller detected
Painkiller detected
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) suspended operations at the meat firm near Aberystwyth and the slaughterhouse in West Yorkshire after raids at the premises on Tuesday.
It also seized meat found on the premises as well as paperwork, including customer lists from the two companies.
In Aberystwyth one of the men arrested at Farmbox Meats is believed to be the firm's owner Dafydd Raw Rees, the BBC understands.
In Aberystwyth one of the men arrested at Farmbox Meats is believed to be the firm's owner Dafydd Raw Rees, the BBC understands.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said the three people arrested were being detained at Aberystwyth Police Station and would be interviewed by its officers and FSA staff.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said the three people arrested were being detained at Aberystwyth Police Station and would be interviewed by its officers and FSA staff.
The Peter Boddy Licensed Slaughterhouse in West Yorkshire is reported to have supplied horse carcasses to the Aberystwyth plant, which were then allegedly sold on as beef for kebabs and burgers.
The Peter Boddy Licensed Slaughterhouse in West Yorkshire is reported to have supplied horse carcasses to the Aberystwyth plant, which were then allegedly sold on as beef for kebabs and burgers.
Concerns about horsemeat first came to light on 15 January when tests by Irish authorities found horsemeat in beefburgers made by firms in the Irish Republic and the UK and sold in supermarket chains including Tesco and Aldi.
In other developments:
A growing number of UK retailers have since href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21412590" >recalled processed beef products found to contain horsemeat. And last week the British unit of frozen foods giant Findus started to recall its beef lasagne on advice from its French supplier, Comigel, after tests showed concentrations of horsemeat.
The href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21464052" >French processing company that supplied Findus sold meat labelled as beef despite knowing it could have been horsemeat, the French government has said. Spanghero had previously said it was a victim of its supplier but officials said it appeared the Romanian company had acted in good faith
Food minister David Heath said tests on Findus beef meals found to contain horsemeat were negative
The tests by Irish authorities last month found horsemeat in beefburgers made by firms in the Irish Republic and the UK and sold in supermarket chains including Tesco and Aldi.
A growing number of UK retailers later recalled processed beef products found to contain horsemeat. And last week the British unit of frozen foods giant Findus started to recall its beef lasagne on advice from its French supplier, Comigel, after tests showed concentrations of horsemeat.
Food minister David Heath said tests on Findus beef meals found to contain horsemeat were negative
Comigel HQ in Metz, north-east France, asks its subsidiary, Tavola in Luxembourg, to make food products - including beef lasagne for Findus.
Factory orders meat
The Tavola factory orders the meat from Spanghero in the south of France.
Subcontractor used
Spanghero contacts a subcontractor in Cyprus to source the meat.
Subcontractor enlists trader
The Cypriot subcontractor in turn contacts a trader in the Netherlands.
Trader orders from Romania
The trader in the Netherlands places an order for meat with abattoirs in Romania.
Abattoirs send meat to France
The meat from the abattoirs travels to Spanghero in France. However, Romania rejects claims that it was responsible for wrongly describing the horsemeat from its abattoirs as beef. Horsemeat is always labelled as such, they say. The Romanian authorities claim records show orders had been for horse carcass - easily distinguishable from beef.
Meat used to make products
Spanghero sends the meat to the Comigel subsidiary’s factory in Luxembourg before the finished products are supplied to Findus and retailers across Europe, including the UK. The president of Comigel says the company was unaware the meat was coming from abroad.
Horsemeat found in Ireland and UK
Tests by Irish authorities have found equine DNA in beefburgers made by firms in the Irish Republic and the UK. Traces of horsemeat have also been found in stored meat at another plant in Ireland and one in Northern Ireland. In mainland Britain, police and officials probing alleged horsemeat mislabelling have carried out raids at a slaughterhouse in West Yorkshire and a meat firm near Aberystwyth.
