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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 held at Farmbox Meats Ltd, of Llandre near Aberystwyth, said Dyfed-Powys Police.
A 63-year-old was arrested 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 companies have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.Both companies have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
The Food Standards Agency suspended operations at both sites after raids at the premises on Tuesday. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) suspended operations at both sites 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.It also seized meat found on the premises as well as paperwork, including customer lists from the two companies.
The West Yorkshire plant is reported to have supplied horse carcasses to the Aberystwyth plant, which were then allegedly sold on as beef for kebabs and burgers. Meanwhile, supermarket giant Asda has withdrawn its 500g Beef Bolognese sauce, saying a preliminary test result suggests the presence of horse DNA in the product.
One of the men arrested at Farmbox Meats is believed to be the firm's owner Dafydd Raw Rees, the BBC understands. 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
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.
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.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.
A growing number of UK retailers have since 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.A growing number of UK retailers have since 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 three arrests came as the FSA said that tests found eight horses, killed in the UK, tested positive for the painkiller bute and six may have entered the food chain in France. The three arrests came after the FSA said on Thursday tests had found eight horses, killed in the UK, had tested positive for the equine painkiller phenylbutazone (bute) and that six may have entered the food chain in France.
But England's chief medical officer said the highest level detected posed "very little risk to human health".But England's chief medical officer said the highest level detected posed "very little risk to human health".
The prime minister's spokesman said the UK was working closely with the French authorities to track the carcasses.The prime minister's spokesman said the UK was working closely with the French authorities to track the carcasses.
FSA rules which came into force this week mean all horsemeat in the UK will be tested for bute before it is allowed to be sold for food. FSA rules, which came into force, this week mean all horsemeat in the UK will be tested for bute before it is allowed to be sold for food.
In other developments:In other developments: