Horsemeat found in Royal Ascot caterer's beef

Published 23 Feb 2013 09:30 5 Comments

A CATERING company that supplies schools and Ascot Racecourse has found horse DNA in some of its products. Sodexo has removed all frozen beef from its supply chain.

In a statement, Sodexo said "We had demanded written assurances from across our supply chain that the products we purchase did not contain horse meat, and additionally implemented an internal sampling programme. Despite repeated guarantees from our suppliers, our sampling has identified frozen beef products which tested positive for equine DNA. This situation is totally unacceptable.

"We felt the only appropriate response was to withdraw not only this product but all frozen beef products. We will only re-admit into our catering operations products that have affirmatively passed DNA testing, pursuant to laboratory test criteria."

It said it would assist the Food Standards Agency with its investigation and added: "We have also launched our own investigation to understand how this regrettable situation arose. Food safety, traceability and quality remain the top priority for Sodexo and this is why we have taken these steps."

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This article appeared in Bracknell News 23 Feb 13

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  hazelann70
  58 posts
  Feb 23, 18:00
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  Yawn. So what! Buy from local suppliers and the problem vanishes. Not rocket science is it.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 0

• 

  timespassing
  22 posts
  Feb 24, 09:10
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  I have trouble understanding why if there is only 1% or less horsemeat then it is just a bit of cross-contamination and doesn't count. It still amounts to one tonne of Shergar per hundred tonnes, hardly accidental and whether it stood on your foot or not still a considerable amount. Does the same criteria apply to other foodstuffs, ie up to 1% pork allowed in processed foods. Do they actually test for other DNA chains in our food? You start to wonder about mafia control of salami factories and junta access to corned beef plants.
  
  If you are at all concerned about meat content then stay away from supermarkets and processed foods. Most people have access to a local butcher, these are knowledgeable people who will also tell you how to cook it without recourse to a microwave oven.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 1

• 

  hazelann70
  58 posts
  Feb 24, 10:23
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  Unless you live in Bracknell town where you soon won’t have a butcher if and when the market closes. The nearest would be Great Hollands.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 1

• 

  tfs
  15 posts
  Feb 27, 10:28
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  Actually, there is a butchers in Crossway in the town centre - Near to the bandstand.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  hazelann70
  58 posts
  Feb 27, 13:13
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  I'm afraid this just shows how often you go into town "tfs". That butcher closed down about a month ago.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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