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Horsemeat scandal: Birds Eye withdraws UK ready meals Horsemeat scandal: Birds Eye withdraws UK ready meals
(35 minutes later)
  
Birds Eye has withdrawn three beef ready meals from supermarkets in the UK and Ireland as a precaution after horse DNA was found in a product in Belgium.Birds Eye has withdrawn three beef ready meals from supermarkets in the UK and Ireland as a precaution after horse DNA was found in a product in Belgium.
Birds Eye said its chilli con carne had tested positive for 2% horse DNA.Birds Eye said its chilli con carne had tested positive for 2% horse DNA.
Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced results from 1,133 new tests on beef products.Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced results from 1,133 new tests on beef products.
There were six positive tests for horse DNA at a level of greater than 1% - all on products which have been withdrawn.There were six positive tests for horse DNA at a level of greater than 1% - all on products which have been withdrawn.
This second phase of the FSA's investigation saw 140 samples of beef-based ready meals checked for horse or pig DNA.This second phase of the FSA's investigation saw 140 samples of beef-based ready meals checked for horse or pig DNA.
The tests covered a range of frozen, chilled or canned products that included lasagne, chilli con carne, cottage pie, ravioli, cannelloni and spaghetti bolognese.The tests covered a range of frozen, chilled or canned products that included lasagne, chilli con carne, cottage pie, ravioli, cannelloni and spaghetti bolognese.
The FSA has now carried out a total of 3,634 tests. It said more than 99% had come back negative.The FSA has now carried out a total of 3,634 tests. It said more than 99% had come back negative.
However, 35 results, representing 13 products, contained 1% or more horse DNA.However, 35 results, representing 13 products, contained 1% or more horse DNA.
They had all been previously identified and withdrawn from shelves with the exception of beef burgers, minced beef and halal minced beef from French firm Sodexo, which provides catering services to the UK public sector. Sodexo has withdrawn these products from its supply chain.They had all been previously identified and withdrawn from shelves with the exception of beef burgers, minced beef and halal minced beef from French firm Sodexo, which provides catering services to the UK public sector. Sodexo has withdrawn these products from its supply chain.
The agency also tested products for the veterinary medicine bute (phenylbutazone). The medicine can be dangerous to humans because in rare cases it causes a serious blood disorder known as aplastic anaemia but the FSA said there were no positive tests for the drug.The agency also tested products for the veterinary medicine bute (phenylbutazone). The medicine can be dangerous to humans because in rare cases it causes a serious blood disorder known as aplastic anaemia but the FSA said there were no positive tests for the drug.
The news followed a statement from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regarding a "productive" meeting with food sector bosses on Thursday.
A Defra spokesperson said "Everyone agreed that the steps already taken have eliminated the risk of horses containing bute from entering the food chain. On Thursday, a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) statement reported a "productive" meeting with food sector bosses.
It said: "Everyone agreed that the steps already taken have eliminated the risk of horses containing bute from entering the food chain.
"We are pleased that the sector agreed the need to tighten and investigate ways to improve the horse passport system."We are pleased that the sector agreed the need to tighten and investigate ways to improve the horse passport system.
"We welcome the commitment of the sector to develop their own equine database.""We welcome the commitment of the sector to develop their own equine database."
Birds EyeBirds Eye
Although Birds Eye's chilli meal is only sold in Belgium, the company said it would withdraw all other products made by the supplier - Belgian group Frigilunch.Although Birds Eye's chilli meal is only sold in Belgium, the company said it would withdraw all other products made by the supplier - Belgian group Frigilunch.
The company said as a precautionary measure in the UK and Ireland it would clear its Traditional Spaghetti Bolognese 340g, Shepherd's Pie 400g and Beef Lasagne 400g from the supermarkets. It will also clear the chilli from shelves in Belgium.The company said as a precautionary measure in the UK and Ireland it would clear its Traditional Spaghetti Bolognese 340g, Shepherd's Pie 400g and Beef Lasagne 400g from the supermarkets. It will also clear the chilli from shelves in Belgium.
Birds Eye said: "Whilst this is not a food safety issue, it is clearly unacceptable."Birds Eye said: "Whilst this is not a food safety issue, it is clearly unacceptable."
"We want to reassure you from the testing we have completed that all Birds Eye beef burgers, beef pies and beef platters do not contain horse DNA.""We want to reassure you from the testing we have completed that all Birds Eye beef burgers, beef pies and beef platters do not contain horse DNA."
Customers who have bought any of the three products will be offered a refund if they contact Birds Eye customer services, the group said.Customers who have bought any of the three products will be offered a refund if they contact Birds Eye customer services, the group said.
"We want to apologise to consumers and reassure them that we will keep them fully informed and that we are taking action to deal with this issue," the company added in a statement."We want to apologise to consumers and reassure them that we will keep them fully informed and that we are taking action to deal with this issue," the company added in a statement.
Birds Eye is the latest in a growing number of companies, including Findus and Nestle, to recall beef ready meals.Birds Eye is the latest in a growing number of companies, including Findus and Nestle, to recall beef ready meals.
Last month's discovery of horsemeat in some processed beef products sold by a number of UK supermarkets has sparked widespread investigations.Last month's discovery of horsemeat in some processed beef products sold by a number of UK supermarkets has sparked widespread investigations.
The FSA asked UK food retailers to test the beef in thousands of their products. In the first results, released on 15 February, 29 out of 2,501 tests were positive - that is, they contained at least 1% horsemeat.The FSA asked UK food retailers to test the beef in thousands of their products. In the first results, released on 15 February, 29 out of 2,501 tests were positive - that is, they contained at least 1% horsemeat.