10m burgers set to be destroyed in horse probe
The Department of Agriculture said the news supported claims by Liffey Meats that it has addressed any concerns that arose from the findings of the Food Safety Auth-ority’s (FSA) survey in December.
Those tests found trace levels of equine DNA in three of their burger products. The results released last night relate only to product manufactured by Liffey Meats.
Meanwhile as investigations continue in relation to identifying the source of equine DNA in the Silvercrest processing facility in Co Monaghan, it has emerged the 10m burgers removed from supermarket shelves on foot of the horse meat controversy are to be destroyed.
ABP Food Group, which owns Silvercrest, has confirmed the burgers will be destroyed, although it is understood that no decision has yet been taken as to how and when, or who will foot the bill.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said the Government needed to focus on the “issue of trust” as confusion continued to surround the source of the contamination.
Mr Martin’s comments came in the wake of a weekend report which claimed that the Tesco burger found to have 29% horse meat content was manufactured entirely in Ireland with no foreign-sourced additives.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney had queried that assertion and ABP Food Group, which made the burger, later indicated that the investigation into the contamination was still focussed on third-party additives sourced overseas.
Yesterday Mr Martin said: “There is a growing unease in many quarters that the Government is overly concerned with the media management of this story, rather than getting to the bottom of the issue in an open and transparent way.”
More test results are expected this week from the department, while ABP has also carried out its own DNA tests, in addition to suspending production in Co Monaghan.
Mr Coveney said detailed analysis of records held by the company relating to the sourcing of ingredients and the incorporation of these ingredients in the manufactured burgers that have tested positive for equine DNA is being conducted.
He said he would announce further progress in relation to this investigation when conclusions have been arrived at.
