EC joins altered chicken fillet probe

The European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection has intervened in the investigation into chicken fillet labelling.

Ireland's Food Safety Authority says foreign produced chicken fillets on sale here have been injected with proteins from cattle and pigs during transit.

It is claimed that Thai and Brazilian produced frozen fillets were injected to help them retain water during defrosting.

David Byrne has ordered food experts from across EU member states to report to him on the matter as soon as possible.

While there’s no food scare, Mr Byrne says it’s apparent that breaches of labelling laws have occurred. He has urged Irish authorities to pursue the matter vigorously.