This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-21552269

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Frozen beef products put on hold by Scottish councils and schools Frozen beef products put on hold by Scottish councils and schools
(35 minutes 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 beefburgers following the discovery.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.
It has also been revealed that the burger containing horse DNA was supplied to Cumbernauld High School.It has also been revealed that the burger containing horse DNA was supplied to Cumbernauld High School.
It supplied by the Brakes Group. It was supplied by the Brakes Group.
A spokesman for Brakes confirmed: "On February 21 we were informed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that a frozen beef burger had tested positive for horse DNA following a sample taken from a local authority school in Scotland.
"Before this incident, Brakes has already received negative test results on all 127 beef products supplied to that customer.
"In addition, Brakes had received 32 negative tests results on products that we buy from the same supplier and they, in turn, had 28 negative tests on finished products and raw material they handle."
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.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 will continue discussions with Scotland Excel with a view to ensuring we are satisfied with the integrity of food supplied to us."We will continue discussions with Scotland Excel with a view to ensuring we are satisfied with the integrity of food supplied to us.
"In the meantime, we have removed all frozen beef products from our menus across all our premises."In the meantime, we have removed all frozen beef products from our menus across all our premises.
'Consumer confidence issue''Consumer confidence issue'
"We will continue to carry out additional testing in the coming days."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."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.""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.
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. Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said two weeks of meat testing across the UK had found "isolated positive results" for horsemeat in beef products.
No new stocks He added: "Tests and inspections continue to be carried out across the private and public sector in Scotland. T
"We are working with the Food Standards Agency to identify what has happened as a matter of urgency." "The first positive result in Scotland's public sector was recorded last night in North Lanarkshire.
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. "As has been the case across the country when a positive result has been recorded, appropriate steps have already been taken to withdraw the mislabelled product."
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 minister said: "We welcome the further precautionary step that Scotland Excel has taken, which is to withdraw all frozen beef products until further testing has taken place.
"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. "It is completely unacceptable that any mislabelled products are supplied to food outlets or retailers in Scotland."
"The advice from Scotland Excel does not apply to the supply and use of fresh butcher meat.
"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."