FSA steps up testing after more horsemeat found

Meat producers must test all beef products.

February 8, 2013

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) will demand a more robust testing program after the discovery of Findus brand beef lasagna products containing up to 60 percent horsemeat. Findus removed the products from store shelves after its French meat supplier, Comigel, raised concerns over the type of meat in the lasagnas. The FSA has reiterated that horsemeat is not a safety concern unless it contains phenylbutazone, or “bute,” an anti-inflammatory drug used in horses that may pose health risks to humans and is not allowed to enter the food chain. Catherine Brown, chief executive of FSA, said that going forward, food businesses will be required to conduct authenticity tests on all beef products and provide results to the FSA. The deadline for compliance is February 15.

Shane O’Halloran joined Food Engineering in November of 2012 as Digital/Online Editor. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2010, and worked as a copy editor and contributor to BleacherReport.com and ShesGameSports.com. He has also written feature articles on a freelance basis for publications in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. His areas of expertise include social media campaigns and website management. Shane produces daily news updates for www.foodengineeringmag.com and Food Engineering’s social media sites. In addition, Shane writes news articles for FE’s TechFlash e-newsletter and Food Engineering’s People and Industry section.