The horsemeat scandal in Britain goes on

The meat content of some beef lasagne products recalled by Findus was up to 100% horsemeat, the Food Standards Agency has said.

Findus withdrew its beef lasagne from retailers in 320g, 360g and 500g sizes on Monday as a precautionary measure.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said it was “completely unacceptable” that a product claiming to beef lasagne turned out to be mainly horsemeat.

Findus said: “We do not believe this to be a food safety issue.”
'Cannot be tolerated'

The FSA said Findus tested 18 of its beef lasagne products and found 11 meals containing between 60% and 100% horsemeat.

People have been warned not to eat the products, which were made for Findus by French food supplier Comigel.

The FSA said: “We have no evidence to suggest that this is a food safety risk. However, the FSA has ordered Findus to test the lasagne for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, or 'bute'.

“Animals treated with phenylbutazone are not allowed to enter the food chain as it may pose a risk to human health.

“The Findus beef lasagne was distributed to the main UK supermarkets and smaller convenience stores. Findus has already begun a full recall of these products.

“People who have bought any Findus beef lasagne products are advised not to eat them and return them to the shop they bought them from.”

Mr Paterson said the presence of unauthorised ingredients “cannot be tolerated”.

“The responsibility for the safety and authenticity of food lies with those who produce it, and who sell or provide it to the final consumer. I know that food producers, retailers and caterers are as concerned as we are at the course of recent events,” he said.

“The Food Standards Agency, Defra, and the Department of Health are working closely with businesses and trade bodies along the whole food chain to root out any illegal activity and enforce food safety and authenticity regulations.

“Consumers can be confident that we will take whatever action we consider necessary if we discover evidence of criminality or negligence.”

Findus said the product was manufactured by a third party supplier and not by Findus.

The frozen food company said all its other products had been tested and were not affected.

(BBC)