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Frozen beef products put on hold by Scottish councils and schools Frozen beef products put on hold by Scottish councils and schools
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's councils have been told not to use any frozen beef products following the discovery of horse DNA in a school canteen burger.Scotland's councils have been told not to use any frozen beef products following the discovery of horse DNA in a school canteen burger.
Procurement agency Scotland Excel had already advised local authorities to place on hold the use of frozen beef burgers. Procurement agency Scotland Excel had already advised local authorities to place on hold the use of frozen beefburgers following the discovery.
But that has now been extended to other beef products, such as mince.But that has now been extended to other beef products, such as mince.
Supply company Brakes insisted "it is not known who supplied the burger" to the North Lanarkshire Council school. It has also been revealed that the burger containing horse DNA was supplied to Cumbernauld High School.
"Last night, we were informed of a positive test by the Food Standards Agency," said a company statement. It supplied by the Brakes Group.
Withdrew products North Lanarkshire Council, which said it was now in a position to give further details, said: "It is simply unacceptable to the council that a supplier would supply a product containing horse DNA to one of our schools.
"We do supply Scotland Excel. So, as a precaution, until we are able to ascertain the facts, we have placed the Brakes burger on hold. "We will continue discussions with Scotland Excel with a view to ensuring we are satisfied with the integrity of food supplied to us.
"We are working with the Food Standards Agency to identify what has happened as a matter of urgency." "In the meantime, we have removed all frozen beef products from our menus across all our premises.
'Consumer confidence issue'
"We will continue to carry out additional testing in the coming days.
"We cannot confirm that these products have not been consumed. However, the consumption of horse meat is not considered harmful to health.
"This is a consumer confidence issue: when we buy a product we expect it to contain what it says on the label."
Renfrewshire Council this week withdrew products sourced from the Brakes Group after horse DNA was detected in lasagne the firm produces for a pub company.Renfrewshire Council this week withdrew products sourced from the Brakes Group after horse DNA was detected in lasagne the firm produces for a pub company.
However, prior to the latest discovery in North Lanarkshire, Brakes said all beef ranges supplied to schools had tested negative for horse.However, prior to the latest discovery in North Lanarkshire, Brakes said all beef ranges supplied to schools had tested negative for horse.
Scotland Excel has now advised Scottish local authorities and its other public sector customers, "as a precautionary measure", not to use any current stocks they hold of frozen beef products, including frozen beef mince, or order any new stocks, until the outcome of further, detailed investigations is established. Before testing confirmed it was the supplier of the Cumbernauld High School burger, Brakes said: "As a precaution, until we are able to ascertain the facts, we have placed the Brakes burger on hold.
Precautionary measure No new stocks
"We are working with the Food Standards Agency to identify what has happened as a matter of urgency."
Scotland Excel subsequently advised local authorities and its other public sector customers, "as a precautionary measure", not to use any current stocks they hold of frozen beef products, including frozen beef mince, or order any new stocks, until the outcome of further, detailed investigations is established.
The firm said: "This follows yesterday's advice from Scotland Excel to local councils to place a hold on the use of all frozen beef burger products following the discovery of the presence of horse DNA in a frozen beef burger at North Lanarkshire Council.The firm said: "This follows yesterday's advice from Scotland Excel to local councils to place a hold on the use of all frozen beef burger products following the discovery of the presence of horse DNA in a frozen beef burger at North Lanarkshire Council.
"The supplier, Brakes, has since confirmed that they are placing an immediate hold on their frozen beef burgers as a precautionary measure and will be working with local authorities and the Food Standards Agency to investigate."The supplier, Brakes, has since confirmed that they are placing an immediate hold on their frozen beef burgers as a precautionary measure and will be working with local authorities and the Food Standards Agency to investigate.
"The advice from Scotland Excel does not apply to the supply and use of fresh butcher meat." "The advice from Scotland Excel does not apply to the supply and use of fresh butcher meat.
The statement added: "Separate, thorough investigations completed by Scotland Excel and its partner agencies have so far confirmed the authenticity, verification, labelling and traceability of fresh butcher meat products supplied through a separate framework contract." "Separate, thorough investigations completed by Scotland Excel and its partner agencies have so far confirmed the authenticity, verification, labelling and traceability of fresh butcher meat products supplied through a separate framework contract."