Extensive investigations, product recalls continue as horsemeat issue gets bigger

Following reports of beef products contaminated with horsemeat, risk managers in Europe have not stopped conducting investigations. Whilst initial findings show there is no food safety concern, the fact of the matter is that the industry has to address the issues that have surfaced: false labelling, food quality and traceability in the EU food chain.

In the UK where the first tainted products were found, police are cracking down on slaughterhouses suspected of selling horsemeat. Selling horsemeat may not be a crime there, but its consumption is generally unacceptable.

The issue emerged in January when Irish food-standards authorities found horsemeat in beef burgers made from Ireland and Britain. These products are sold in supermarkets including Tesco. Retail giant Waitrose has taken down frozen beef meatballs from their shelves on suspicion that these might contain pork when it is not listed on the label.

The concern rippled across Europe when Findus, a frozen foods supplier, started recalling its beef lasagne early February, on a warning from French company Comigel that products tested for more than 60% horsemeat. Another French food company Picard has recalled frozen meals after discovering that horsemeat has been labeled as beef on the products.

Investigations in France have led authorities to a Romanian abattoir. To date, Romanian government has denied the allegations of fraud.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), for its role in the EU food safety system, is to provide risk managers with scientific advice regarding food and feed safety. It is ready to offer help to the EU and/or the Member States.

In the European food safety system, risk assessment is done separately from risk management. The EU, European Parliament and EU Member States are the key risk managers in the EU system. They are responsible for determining European policies and making decisions to manage risks associated with the food chain such as this case of entry of horsemeat into the food chain.

Related links: Assembly told horsemeat fraud ‘a real possibility’