Plant suspends production as new samples test positive for horse DNA

The Monaghan plant at the centre of the burger scandal has stopped all production after the Department of Agriculture confirmed new samples contained further traces of horse DNA.

The samples were taken on Jan 15 and were from burgers manufactured in the Silvercrest Food plant between Jan 3 and 14.

Seven samples of raw ingredients were also tested, one of which tested positive for horse DNA. That sample had been sourced from another “member state” but the department did not say which country.

“All ingredients in the production of burgers sourced from Irish suppliers tested negative for equine DNA,” it said.

Of the 13 finished burgers tested, nine had traces of horse DNA.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said he, along with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, had arranged to have the samples further analysed in Germany in order to find out the percentage of horse DNA present.

“The department is continuing examination of all raw ingredients used in the production of the affected products and this, together with laboratory tests being conducted in Germany, should give greater clarity to the source of the original problem,” said a spokeswoman.

ABP Food Group, which owns Silvercrest, said it believes it has established which third-party supplier is the source. “Because equine DNA has been found in finished products tested this week, we have decided that the responsible course of action is to suspend all production at the Silvercrest plant in Co Monaghan with immediate effect,” the company said in a statement.