UK beef lasagne ‘contained horsemeat’

Food manufacturer confirms results of tests carried out by food body that showed up to 60 percent horsemeat in lasagne.

British Lasagne included horse meat
The meat content in Findus beef lasagne products tested positive for more than 60 percent horse meat [Wikimedia]

Testing has confirmed that beef lasagne produced by food manufacturer Findus contained horsemeat, Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said.

“Findus UK can confirm that testing of its beef lasagne, produced by a third-party supplier and not by Findus, has revealed some product containing horsemeat,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.

The UK-based frozen food and seafood company said customers who had purchased the product should call or email its customer care helpline for a full refund.

Findus, which is behind brands including Young’s and The Seafood Company, began a recall of its beef lasagne from retailers earlier in the week on advice from its French supplier, Comigel.

Investigations into suppliers have been launched in recent weeks after revelations that beef products sold at major British supermarkets including Tesco and fast food chain Burger King contained horsemeat.

The meat content in Findus beef lasagne products tested positive for more than 60 percent horse meat, the FSA said in a statement on Thursday.

“We have no evidence to suggest that this is a food safety risk,” the FSA said, adding that it had ordered Findus to carry out further tests for a veterinary drug which was a risk to human health.

Source: News Agencies