Be careful of the meat you're eating, it could be horse

JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
edited March 2013 in A Moving Train
I just heard of this today, of horse meat being in UK supermarkets, being sold as ground beef, but last week it was news that Burger King's Whoppers in the UK were being made with the horse meat as well. No U.S. whoppers were affected. It's a good thing I don't eat beef!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21468699

Horsemeat scandal: Supermarkets 'share anger and outrage'

UK retailers have rejected government criticism they "remained silent" over the horsemeat crisis - as they begin to release test results on beef products.

In a public letter, 11 firms, including Tesco and Asda, said they shared shoppers' "anger and outrage".

Many retailers say results so far show no sign of horsemeat, but pubs owner Whitbread and school supplier Compass Group found horse DNA in some products.

Number 10 said it was pleased retailers had finally spoken out in public.

A Downing Street source said: "Consumer confidence is one of the things that has been missing and that needs the retailers to explain themselves, and what they have been doing."

Earlier, Downing Street said big retailers selling affected products had a responsibility to answer key questions on the scandal.

Sources said it was not "acceptable for retailers to remain silent while customers have been misled about the content of the food they have been buying".

'Criminal conspiracy'

Meanwhile, the results of up to one third of tests on the presence of horsemeat in processed meals ordered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are being released.

Iceland said that all of its own brand beef products have been found to be free from horsemeat.

The Co-Operative Group said 59 of its 102 own-brand minced beef products have been tested so far, with all found to be clear of horsemeat. And Morrisons says 68 test results on its products have not found horsemeat, with more results still to come.

Tesco says tests on 149 of its products are clear, and Sainsbury's say their tests show no horse adulteration.

But Whitbread, which supplies thousands of pubs and owns Premier Inn, Beefeater Grill and Brewers Fayre, has confirmed two of its products have been found to contain horsemeat.

And Compass Group, one of the biggest school food providers in the UK, says its tests have found between 5% and 30% horse DNA in burgers it sold in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It says the burgers were supplied by Rangeland Foods in County Monaghan, which previously withdrew more than 9,000 burgers made for the UK market after some were found to contain horsemeat.

A spokesman for Compass said the affected burgers had been supplied to a small number of sites on both sides of the Irish border, including two colleges which the firm would not name.

In other developments:

Cottage pie delivered to 47 schools in Lancashire has tested positive for horse DNA. The product has now been withdrawn from kitchens
UK police investigating allegations horsemeat was mislabelled as beef have arrested three men on suspicion of offences under the Fraud Act
The arrests came after the FSA said on Thursday that tests had found eight horses, killed in the UK, had tested positive for the equine painkiller bute and that six may have entered the food chain in France
On Friday, it emerged beefburgers containing horsemeat had been withdrawn from hospitals in Northern Ireland.
The French government has accused meat processing company Spanghero of knowingly selling horsemeat labelled as beef. The firm has denied the allegations, but apologised to British consumers, saying it was "tricked as well"
European food safety experts have met in Brussels to draw up plans to conduct DNA testing of beef products across the continent in the coming weeks
Culture Secretary Maria Miller earlier stepped up criticism by saying retailers should not be "let off the hook" for putting wrongly labelled products on their shelves. But Labour's Mary Creagh accused ministers of being "asleep on the job"
In the letter issued on Friday, the group of food suppliers said: "We can't accept a situation where the trust customers place in us is being compromised by fraudulent activity or even as alleged, an international criminal conspiracy.

"We will do whatever it takes to restore public confidence in the food they buy and eat."

They also said they were "working around the clock" to resolve the matter.

The letter was signed by chief executive of Tesco, Philip Clarke, Asda Stores boss, Andy Clarke, the chief executive of J Sainsbury, Justin King, and Dalton Philips, chief executive of Wm Morrison Supermarkets, among others.

Supermarket chain Morrisons also responded on Twitter, saying: "Contrary to what No10 is saying, we haven't all been silent."

A spokesman told BBC News the company had carried multiple interviews and had communicated with customers. "We couldn't have been more transparent," he said.

Fresh beef
Last month, Irish food inspectors said they had found horsemeat in beefburgers made by firms in the Irish Republic and the UK, and sold by a number of UK supermarket chains, including Tesco, Iceland, Aldi and Lidl.

Since then, a growing number of UK retailers have recalled processed beef products found to contain horse DNA.

The British Retail Consortium's Helen Dickinson told BBC Radio 4 retailers had been focusing on the swift testing of products.

Ms Dickinson added lessons must be learned by "all parts of the food industry" in the UK and Europe.

Some shops have already recalled products found to be adulterated, including Asda, which withdrew a beef Bolognese sauce on Thursday - the first fresh beef product to be involved.

Aldi, Tesco and Findus have also withdrawn some beef-based ready meals.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    Whopper shock: Burger King admits horse DNA found in its meat

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bu ... na-1567971
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Tastes like chicken.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • BinauralJamBinauralJam Posts: 14,158
    I'd eat Human if tasted good.
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    Cosmo wrote:
    Tastes like chicken.

    Chicken Whopper?
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    Horse meat is lovely - tender and sweet. Have it as a gorgeous, rare steak.

    just reinforces avoiding processed food and properly sourcing your food.

    And don't tell me the manufacturers didn't know......
  • JimmyVJimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,183
    We eat cows...should we not eat horses too? I think the outrage is coming because this is something that just isn't done in the western world. But is there any good reason why we shouldn't? I dunno. I don't have any interest in trying horse but if they can be an addition to the food supply shouldn't that be a good thing?
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    JimmyV wrote:
    We eat cows...should we not eat horses too? I think the outrage is coming because this is something that just isn't done in the western world. But is there any good reason why we shouldn't? I dunno. I don't have any interest in trying horse but if they can be an addition to the food supply shouldn't that be a good thing?

    Did anyone read the initial story? Meat packaged as ground beef but was actually horse meat or contained horse meat? Eating a Whopper, thinking that it's ground beef but it's really ground horse? That's what I'm talking about.
  • JTHJTH Chicago Posts: 3,238
    Jeanwah wrote:
    JimmyV wrote:
    We eat cows...should we not eat horses too? I think the outrage is coming because this is something that just isn't done in the western world. But is there any good reason why we shouldn't? I dunno. I don't have any interest in trying horse but if they can be an addition to the food supply shouldn't that be a good thing?

    Did anyone read the initial story? Meat packaged as ground beef but was actually horse meat or contained horse meat? Eating a Whopper, thinking that it's ground beef but it's really ground horse? That's what I'm talking about.
    I'm pretty sure he understands that. But really, so what? I eat goat, bison, venison, beef, pork, whatever... why is it a no-no to eat horse meat?

    If it was the other way around (horse meat containing cattle DNA) would anyone give a shit about it?
  • JimmyVJimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,183
    Jeanwah wrote:
    JimmyV wrote:
    We eat cows...should we not eat horses too? I think the outrage is coming because this is something that just isn't done in the western world. But is there any good reason why we shouldn't? I dunno. I don't have any interest in trying horse but if they can be an addition to the food supply shouldn't that be a good thing?

    Did anyone read the initial story? Meat packaged as ground beef but was actually horse meat or contained horse meat? Eating a Whopper, thinking that it's ground beef but it's really ground horse? That's what I'm talking about.

    Agreed, meat being passed off as beef when it is horse is reprehensible. But I have been thinking about this lately and I cannot come up with a reason why horse meat should not be next to beef in the supermarket.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    edited February 2013
    So what? Fraud - pure and simple. Intentionally mis-labelling, 'duping' the consumer by using a cheaper, 'filler' meat. Well at least the kind of horse they use for this as properly reared horse for consumption is pricier than beef.

    I have no problems with eating horse, I have done so for many years (french side of me!!!). I do have a problem with major manufacturers, retailers, etc. lying to me.

    Either they knew (which I'm sure they did) and it's blatant fraud or they didn't and it's very, very bad business as they should be able to trace back production and sourcing.
    Post edited by redrock on
  • MotoDCMotoDC Posts: 947
    It's a big deal because the food was claiming to be something it wasn't.

    Otherwise I agree with most of you that it's a bit hypocritical to be all offended about horse meat when we eat cow, etc. Hypocritical might be too strong a word, but we just need to keep in mind that the only reason it offends us is because as a culture, we've chosen that certain animal to revere. E.g., I would never eat dog or horse unless I was starving. And even then I wouldn't eat MY dog.

    I love my country
    because my country
    is all I know
  • JTHJTH Chicago Posts: 3,238
    Well, yeah, of course. The fraud aspect... If I found out that the 93 octane gasoline at the Shell station was really only 87, I'd be pretty pissed off.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Horse meat is probably better than the pink slime they are already selling us.
    ...
    Too bad that guy with the Buffalo Ranch pretended to die and no longer posts here. He'd probably have a feasible alternative solution.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    Cosmo wrote:
    Horse meat is probably better than the pink slime they are already selling us.

    Yep.. I think it's up to a quarter of the weight of the 'beef' can be slime.

    Then again, the 'horse' used it probably just the same but from horses and now cows. Filler.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    redrock wrote:
    So what? Fraud - pure and simple. Intentionally mis-labelling, 'duping' the consumer by using a cheaper, 'filler' meat. Well at least the kind of horse they use for this as properly reared horse for consumption is pricier than beef.

    I have no problems with eating horse, I have done so for many years (french side of me!!!). I do have a problem with major manufacturers, retailers, etc. lying to me.

    Either they knew (which I'm sure they did) and it's blatant fraud or they didn't and it's very, very bad business as they should be able to trace back production and sourcing.
    Yup, this is what it comes down to for me as well...though I've never (knowingly) eaten horsemeat.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    redrock wrote:
    Cosmo wrote:
    Horse meat is probably better than the pink slime they are already selling us.

    Yep.. I think it's up to a quarter of the weight of the 'beef' can be slime.

    Then again, the 'horse' used it probably just the same but from horses and now cows. Filler.
    ...
    Remember when Taco Bell was got heat for using sand as filler in their beef?
    I think that might have been a good thing. Maybe those Taco Supremes sand blasted polyps from my colon and got me a clean bill of health.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    redrock wrote:

    Either they knew (which I'm sure they did) and it's blatant fraud or they didn't and it's very, very bad business as they should be able to trace back production and sourcing.

    Since you asked, here's a diagram here that shows how the horse meat got into the beef products. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21335872
  • guypjfreakguypjfreak Posts: 2,281
    love abit of horse :lol::lol::lol:
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Jeanwah wrote:
    redrock wrote:

    Either they knew (which I'm sure they did) and it's blatant fraud or they didn't and it's very, very bad business as they should be able to trace back production and sourcing.

    Since you asked, here's a diagram here that shows how the horse meat got into the beef products. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21335872
    ...
    I don't even want to know.
    I have been weaning myself off of red meat for a while. Chicken is next on my hit list. Fish is going to be tough.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    Thanks Jeanwah. Manufacturers and retailers who put their name on the products MUST be aware of every step - no doubt about that.

    Cosmo - it's scary what can be used as 'meat extenders'. Good to hear your polyps got blasted though!!! :lol:
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,612
    I was wondering why i keep stomping my feet and shaking my head up&down when i see a hot chick better stop with the steaks ...
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • I was wondering why i keep stomping my feet and shaking my head up&down when i see a hot chick better stop with the steaks ...

    :lol::lol:

    Great visual!
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,962
    I personally don't want to eat horsemeat, for the same reason I don't want to eat cat. I don't care if it's hypocritical. I used to ride equestrian, so have a connection with horses; they are not food to me.

    Also, there is something very very wrong and scary about meat being labelled as one kind but being another.... god knows whay else might be in there! And god knows how the horses were slaughtered, where they came from... Anyone who doesn't think this is a bug deal has scary low standards. In a situation like this, the meat can't even be traced back to its origin. That is dangerous if any kind of food poisoning happens to occur. That this has happened is a strong indicator that the UK has a major problem with quality control and food safety (not that I'm surprised, being very familiar with the UK).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Leezestarr313Leezestarr313 Temple of the cat Posts: 14,352
    They found horse meat in German food of the same suppliers as well. I never had horse, and wouldn't want to eat it because it is also not a food animal to me personally, but horse sausages etc are available in Germany and it's nothing terrible to people. Lying about the ingredients, however, is a different thing...

    I stopped eating processed food a while ago, I just want to know what I'm eating and I think processed food is often overspiced. The thought of stuff like pink slime or antibiotics in my food makes me wanna throw up.
    I am actually eating much healthier since I've come to the States. I love the Amish meat market, we go there once a week and get our meat fix from there. It is a bit more pricey, but makes me feel good about what I eat. And it is tasty.
  • AnnafalkAnnafalk Sweden Posts: 4,004
    PJ_Soul wrote:
    I personally don't want to eat horsemeat, for the same reason I don't want to eat cat. I don't care if it's hypocritical. I used to ride equestrian, so have a connection with horses; they are not food to me.

    Also, there is something very very wrong and scary about meat being labelled as one kind but being another.... god knows whay else might be in there! And god knows how the horses were slaughtered, where they came from... Anyone who doesn't think this is a bug deal has scary low standards. In a situation like this, the meat can't even be traced back to its origin. That is dangerous if any kind of food poisoning happens to occur. That this has happened is a strong indicator that the UK has a major problem with quality control and food safety (not that I'm surprised, being very familiar with the UK).

    I agree with you, and it's horrible how animals get transported
    for so long across nations without water or anything just to get slaughtered
    then the meat gets sent back where they first came from..so sick..
  • SmellymanSmellyman Asia Posts: 4,524
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    Remeber when Fearless Leader and congress restored the horse slaughter industry last year? :think:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/30/obama-congress-restore-us-horse-slaughter-industry/?page=all

    There is a reason why you can still buy $.99 tacos. Horses and soybeans.

    I saw a bit on TV and horse was popular during WWII when rationing was in effect and it wasn't until the 70's that is was banned in the US. I don't believe its bad, but it is one of the cute animals that most people have issues with using for slaughter.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Fun fact!
    "Horse meat is regularly used for consumption by circuses and zoos"

    Never knew this.

    Also, in today's news, I saw that an Ikea in the Czech Republic was found to have horsemeat in some of its meatballs. Pretty sure that ain't Swedish!
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,197
    I'm so glad I gave up eating meat years ago so these story are not too much of a worry for me. However, for children I do worry about the mis- labeling of meats here in the US.

    I live here in an equestrian community and many horse owners are always on guard for those who will steal horses then slaughter them for there meat. For those who love meat/horse meat more power to them but at the very least keep the labels straight so that the consumer knows exactly what they are buying.

    South Florida has its issues with illegal slaughtering of horses...http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Reward-Off ... 11965.html

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