FSA Publishes Testing Protocol for Beef Samples

In the wake of a recent investigation conducted by the Food Standards Authority of Ireland that identified horse and pig DNA in beef products, the U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have published their own protocol for testing “food authenticity in processed meat products.” According to a February 6, 2013, FSA press release, the protocol calls for “specialized analytical techniques to provide information about the possible presence of horse or pig DNA in a range of beef products available to U.K. consumers.”

As part of the extended survey, 28 local authorities (LAs) will analyze 224
samples from meat products selected as representative of those on the
market. The protocol requires LAs to report screening samples by March 11,
2013, with any confirmatory tests reported by April 8. FSA also intends to
identify brand names and describe any formal actions taken when it releases
the study’s results to the public.

Meanwhile, the agency has already confirmed that beef lasagna products
recently recalled by one major brand “tested positive for more than 60% horse
meat.” FSA has reported that Findus withdrew the beef products “after its
French supplier, Comigel, raised concerns about the type of meat used in the
lasagne.” This latest revelation has evidently prompted FSA to demand that
industry begin testing its own products and submit results by February 15.
“Following our investigations into Findus products, the FSA is now requiring
a more robust response from the food industry in order to demonstrate that
the food it sells and serves is what it says it is on the label,” said FSA chief
executive Catherine Brown. “We are demanding that food businesses conduct
authenticity tests on all beef products, such as beef burgers, meatballs and
lasagne, and provide the results to the FSA. The tests will be for the presence
of significant levels of horse meat.” See FSA Press Release, February 7, 2013.