Thousands of UK products being tested for traces of horsemeat in beef products.

Lancashire, England -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/25/2013 -- Food producers and suppliers throughout the country are conducting tests on their products to determine whether or not they contain any traces of horsemeat. Since news broke in January that some supermarket beef burgers were found to include traces of horse DNA, a number of different suppliers and producers have been implicated in the scandal. As the meat industry tries to restore its reputation; companies are testing their products for any offending traces.

After traces of horsemeat were found in school dinners, public outrage has risen to unprecedented heights. Many producers and suppliers now consider it imperative to prove to their customers that their products adhere to food safety regulations and contain the correct food labeling. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed that a large number of companies producing goods with beef derivatives have tested their products.

Although the initial offending products concerned primarily minced beef, products that contain beef that has not been minced will also be tested. The Labour party has even urged the FSA increase the number of tests being carried out and improve the speed in which results are published. Mary Creagh, the shadow environment secretary revealed:

"Labour has been calling for the FSA to get faster results and test more products for weeks, so I welcome the FSA's announcement (to increase product testing).

"With cubed steak, kebabs, stock cubes and gelatine among those new products to be tested, there are indications that the horsemeat scandal could go even wider than previously thought. These new tests need to be done quickly – people want answers now."

This follows the revelation that beef products used in eateries within the House of Commons have been withdrawn and tested for traces of horsemeat. The subsidised eateries are used by MPs, peers and staff. A spokesperson for the Commons revealed that the move was precautionary after one of their suppliers begun tests on their products.

"As a precautionary measure, the House of Commons catering service has removed from its shelves four beef items supplied by Brakes. This relates to meat derivative products rather than to fresh meat provided at the House of Commons.

"The House of Commons catering service has followed all FSA advice and taken all necessary precautions and identified all products that contain beef. We will continue to be vigilant and, in line with FSA guidance, should we not be absolutely satisfied with the guarantees offered by suppliers we will undertake the necessary investigations and tests to give our customers the level of assurance demanded."

As part of the testing process, food producing giant Nestle has revealed that recent results have signified that their products contain no traces of horse DNA

About Strawberry Standards
Strawberry Standards provide regulatory advice and technical support to all aspects of the food & drink production industry.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Food Standards Agency urgently investigate beef burgers sold at Tesco amid repots that horse DNA was present in the product

Blackburn, Lancashire -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/24/2013 -- The recent scandal involving traces of horse meat in beef burgers from supermarket giant Tesco has been investigated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA has acted urgently in the wake of the revelation and discovered that a number of beef burgers contained horse and pig DNA.

The investigation included the analysis of 27 beef burger products. Out of the 27 burgers tested, 10 were found to test positive for horse DNA, this equates to 37%. Additionally, 23 of the 27 (85%) of the tested products were found to contain pig DNA.

The latter revelation, whilst not receiving the same media attention, is particularly shocking due to the dietary and religious restrictions upon people who can not eat pork.

The level of horse DNA in the 10 affected products was found to be very low in nine of the cases. However, in the final burger, the horse DNA accounted for 29% of the the total meat content of the burger.

This scandal has highlighted the need for greater transparency in food production and food hygiene. Food Safety Regulations dictate that that food producers must be honest and clear to their consumers as to what goes into the produce.

Joanne Scott, Food Industry Advisor and Director of Strawberry Standards believes that the consumer has an inherent right to full product knowledge:

"Consumers have a right to know exactly what they are eating and Food Safety Legislation exists to protect them. This is a clear contravention of the law and the outcome of the investigation may highlight inadequate food quality controls resulting in cross contamination of species. Going forward the food industry must learn from this to raise the confidence of consumers"

This news highlights the need for Food Hygiene Regulations and thorough product testing. The Hazard and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a systematical approach in which all aspects of the production process are identified for potential hazards. The process identifies any biological, chemical and physical dangers or misdemeanours that may compromise the safety of the product.

All of the guilty retailers have removed any products from the shelves that may be potentially affected. The FSA contacted the retailers and producers who were named and shamed by the report and plan to meet with their representatives. Representatives from a wider range of food industry representatives will be present at this meeting to help discover the full extent of the problem and how the contamination came about.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm