This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/07/findus-beef-lasagne-horse-meat
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Findus beef lasagne withdrawn after tests show high level of horsemeat | Findus beef lasagne withdrawn after tests show high level of horsemeat |
| (30 days later) | |
| Findus has admitted that it withdrew all its beef lasagne ready meals from supermarkets because they had tested positive for high levels of horsemeat, as the food contamination scandal continues to spread. | Findus has admitted that it withdrew all its beef lasagne ready meals from supermarkets because they had tested positive for high levels of horsemeat, as the food contamination scandal continues to spread. |
| Tesco and discount chain Aldi had cleared their shelves of frozen spaghetti bolognese and beef lasagne earlier in the week – pending their own tests – because they were made by Comigel, the French manufacturer that supplied Findus. | Tesco and discount chain Aldi had cleared their shelves of frozen spaghetti bolognese and beef lasagne earlier in the week – pending their own tests – because they were made by Comigel, the French manufacturer that supplied Findus. |
| Findus began the withdrawal after being alerted to a problem by Comigel on Sunday, but they previously declined to say the problem related to undeclared horsemeat. The Guardian understands that in one sample tested, horsemeat accounted for over 90% of the meat content. A spokesman from Burson Marsteller, the damage limitation PR experts employed by Findus, said that the beef in the Findus beef lasagne had been found in tests to be on average 60% horsemeat, but added that beef only accounted for 15% of the product anyway. | Findus began the withdrawal after being alerted to a problem by Comigel on Sunday, but they previously declined to say the problem related to undeclared horsemeat. The Guardian understands that in one sample tested, horsemeat accounted for over 90% of the meat content. A spokesman from Burson Marsteller, the damage limitation PR experts employed by Findus, said that the beef in the Findus beef lasagne had been found in tests to be on average 60% horsemeat, but added that beef only accounted for 15% of the product anyway. |
| Over 200m burgers have been withdrawn from sale in the month since the Food Safety Authority of Ireland found that cheap burgers supplied to supermarkets contained horsemeat. The Irish authorities have now called in the police to investigate criminal fraud in the supply chain to Ireland's largest beef processor ABP. | Over 200m burgers have been withdrawn from sale in the month since the Food Safety Authority of Ireland found that cheap burgers supplied to supermarkets contained horsemeat. The Irish authorities have now called in the police to investigate criminal fraud in the supply chain to Ireland's largest beef processor ABP. |
| Shadow environment minister Mary Creagh accused the UK government of failing to take adequate action. Creagh said: "The Irish government has called in the police and fraud experts, yet complacent British ministers have not and are asleep on the job. The latest revelations raise questions about the extent of this scandal, this is no longer just a food safety issue but possibly a criminal trade."The public must have confidence that the food they buy is properly labelled, legal and safe to eat whether it is purchased from a supermarket or in a school canteen." | Shadow environment minister Mary Creagh accused the UK government of failing to take adequate action. Creagh said: "The Irish government has called in the police and fraud experts, yet complacent British ministers have not and are asleep on the job. The latest revelations raise questions about the extent of this scandal, this is no longer just a food safety issue but possibly a criminal trade."The public must have confidence that the food they buy is properly labelled, legal and safe to eat whether it is purchased from a supermarket or in a school canteen." |
| The Findus products have not yet been tested for the presence of the horse drug, phenylbutazone, which is banned in human food, and so the Food Standards Agency is unable to declare them safe. Findus said the FSA had asked it to recover samples of its products so they could be tested for the drug as soon as possible. | The Findus products have not yet been tested for the presence of the horse drug, phenylbutazone, which is banned in human food, and so the Food Standards Agency is unable to declare them safe. Findus said the FSA had asked it to recover samples of its products so they could be tested for the drug as soon as possible. |
| The FSA is advising people who have bought any Findus beef lasagne products not to eat them and return them to the shop they bought them from. | The FSA is advising people who have bought any Findus beef lasagne products not to eat them and return them to the shop they bought them from. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |