Catering firm admits burgers served in schools tested positive for horse DNA

A major Irish catering firm has admitted burgers it served to 40 sites in the Republic and Northern Ireland — including two secondary schools — have tested positive for “horse DNA”.

The firm, Compass, described the situation as “totally unacceptable” and issued an “unreserved” apology to anyone affected.

The news came as Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney outlined plans at home and across Europe to tackle the growing controversy, and as Dutch health safety chiefs raided a meat processing plant in the Netherlands.