Food group Birds Eye has committed to buy all of the beef used in its burgers from British and Irish farmers.

Horsemeat weighing 40kg (88lb) has been sold to shoppers in the UK while wrongly labelled as beef, the country's Food Standards Agency said.

ABP chief executive Paul Finnerty — whose company supplied Tesco with beef burgers that turned out to be 29% horsemeat — has told Britain’s food committee it became clear on Jan 14 to 15 that the firm was “out of specification” because product was coming in from a combination of suppliers that were not approved.

Birds Eye says an Irish processor supplied the meat used in two of its products which were found to have horse DNA in them.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland yesterday issued a new protocol for testing the authenticity of foods as gardaí turned their attention to a Tipperary meat plant as part of the investigation into the horsemeat saga.

A catering giant that supplies food to schools, care homes and the armed forces has withdrawn beef from its UK sites after a frozen product tested positive for horse DNA.

Birds Eye is withdrawing three of its products from Irish supermarket shelves, after horse DNS found in chilli con carne.

Northern Foods today said sales were lower after it pulled out of low-margin contracts and reduced promotional spending during the World Cup.

Kellogg’s has beaten Heinz to be named Britain’s biggest-selling grocery brand, figures out today show.

The impact of a poor vegetable harvest was today being felt at Christian Salvesen after the logistics group warned of lower frozen food volumes.

The race to replace the dwindling cod.

Up to 350 jobs will be cut at consumer goods giant Unilever as the group streamlines its sales and marketing operations, the firm confirmed today.

One of the country’s largest trade unions will today urge a crackdown on the buy-out of companies by private equity investors.

The storm over the power of private equity funds is set to reignite with the news of a possible takeover of high street chain Boots.

A FOOD alert has emerged after tiny traces of glass were discovered in ready-to-eat frozen meals made by the Kerry Group.

Some food products manufactured by a subsidiary of Kerry Group have been recalled in England, because of possible contamination.

Kerry Group issues interim results for the six months up to the end of June tomorrow. Most of the recent talk surrounding the Tralee-based consumer foods, flavourings and ingredients giant of late has been its status in the bidding war for Unilever’s frozen foods arm, Birds Eye.

KERRY Group has lost out in a €1.7 billion battle to buy Birds Eye frozen foods from Unilever.

Unilever looked set to end its 63-year association with Birds Eye today after agreeing to sell most of its European frozen foods business for £1.16bn (€1.7bn).

Private equity group Permira was today said to be poised to make a bid for the frozen foods arm of Unilever which includes Birds Eye.

UNCERTAINTY surrounds the fate of Greencore as property developer Liam Carroll keeps his cards close to his chest about his future intentions for the group.

SQUARE melons, striped tomatoes and not a potato in sight? Who in their wildest dreams would have contemplated the prospect?

Consumer products giant Unilever banked a 16% rise in profits today but warned of tough sales conditions in the UK and Europe.

KERRY GROUP is reported to have linked up with private equity firms JP Morgan Partners and Blackstone in an attempt to buy Unilever’s frozen foods arm, Birds Eye, which could fetch €1.75 billion.

A CONSORTIUM of private equity firms was yesterday reported to be preparing a €1.4 billion bid for Unilever’s frozen foods arm which includes Birds Eye.

The owner of frozen-food firm Birds Eye confirmed today it was selling the business and other European operations.

Consumer products giant Unilever conceded today that price cuts and an advertising blitz had failed to return sales in Europe to growth.

The owner of Pepsi cola was today reported to have entered the battle for ownership of the European drinks arm of Cadbury Schweppes.

FOOD giant Heinz is to sell its frozen and chilled food business, which employs 2,300 workers in Ireland and Britain.

CONSUMER products giant Unilever is rumoured to be reviewing its frozen foods arm with a view to selling some or all of its brands, it was reported yesterday.

UNION leaders warned of a fresh “emergency” in manufacturing after almost 1,500 job losses were announced on another black day for industry in Britain and the North.

Union leaders tonight warned of a fresh “emergency” in British manufacturing after almost 1,500 job losses were announced on another black day for industry.

Frozen food brand Birds Eye is scrapping its famous gull-shaped logo, it was reported today.

Unilever has signed what it believes is the largest advertising deal of its kind with ITV.