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Horsemeat found in some school dinners Horsemeat found in some school dinners
(35 minutes later)
By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporterBy Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter
The first case of horsemeat in school dinners in mainland UK has been found by Food Standards Agency tests.The first case of horsemeat in school dinners in mainland UK has been found by Food Standards Agency tests.
The horsemeat DNA was discovered in cottage pies delivered to 47 schools in Lancashire.The horsemeat DNA was discovered in cottage pies delivered to 47 schools in Lancashire.
Analysts at one of six UK laboratories carrying out the tests discovered the contaminated product late on Thursday.Analysts at one of six UK laboratories carrying out the tests discovered the contaminated product late on Thursday.
It has now been removed from kitchens and officials say children would only have consumed a "minute" amount of horsemeat.It has now been removed from kitchens and officials say children would only have consumed a "minute" amount of horsemeat.
Headteachers in the area have been alerted to the finding.Headteachers in the area have been alerted to the finding.
'Bovine source' Lancashire County Councillor Susie Charles, cabinet member for children and schools, said: "We share the concerns people have about what is clearly a major problem in food supplies across the UK and Europe.
"Because of those concerns we decided to seek extra assurance that our external suppliers were not providing any products containing horse meat DNA, and one of the products has returned a positive result.
"Relatively few schools in Lancashire use this particular product but our priority is to provide absolute assurance that meals contain what the label says - having discovered this one doesn't, we have no hesitation in removing it from menus.
"This does not appear to be a food safety issue but I've no doubt parents will agree we need to take a very firm line with suppliers and it is a credit to our officers that we have been able to quickly identify the problem and take the product off the menus."
The news comes as meat samples are being tested across the UK and after beef was removed, as a precaution, from school meals in Staffordshire.The news comes as meat samples are being tested across the UK and after beef was removed, as a precaution, from school meals in Staffordshire.
The county council, which provides meals to 87% of its schools, said there was no suggestion there had been a problem with contamination.The county council, which provides meals to 87% of its schools, said there was no suggestion there had been a problem with contamination.
In the meantime, pupils were being served other meats such as turkey and "normal school menus" were likely to return after next week's half-term break, it added.In the meantime, pupils were being served other meats such as turkey and "normal school menus" were likely to return after next week's half-term break, it added.
'Withdrawn burgers'
Two Northern Ireland education boards had also withdrawn beef burgers from school menus over the horsemeat issue.Two Northern Ireland education boards had also withdrawn beef burgers from school menus over the horsemeat issue.
The North Eastern board joined the South Eastern board on Thursday in withdrawing burgers.The North Eastern board joined the South Eastern board on Thursday in withdrawing burgers.
A third education board that had also withdrawn burgers - the Southern board - later reinstated burgers after "confirmation from suppliers that all meat supplied is from a bovine source".A third education board that had also withdrawn burgers - the Southern board - later reinstated burgers after "confirmation from suppliers that all meat supplied is from a bovine source".
England's Local Authority Caterers Association said it was in touch with the major suppliers of meat to schools to seek reassurances that their products were free from horsemeat DNA.England's Local Authority Caterers Association said it was in touch with the major suppliers of meat to schools to seek reassurances that their products were free from horsemeat DNA.
It added that school meals remained nutritious and healthy and a good alternative to packed lunches.It added that school meals remained nutritious and healthy and a good alternative to packed lunches.