Three products test positive for pig DNA in UK, says FSA

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced that three beef products were found to contain pig DNA at level above 1% in its UK-wide survey.

The three products containing pig DNA are Asda’s spaghetti meatballs and beef cannellon, as well as Apetito’s beef lasagne.

While both Asda products have been recalled from shelves, Apetito has indicated that almost all of its product would have been served, but unused stock can be returned to the company.

The survey of beef products included two phases and evaluated a total of 364 samples, which were collected from retail outlets, wholesale and catering suppliers, as well as catering outlets.

The first phase of the survey tested 224 samples of products such as burgers, beef sausages, meatballs and minced beef.

Some 212 of the samples tested negative for both horse and pig DNA at or above 1%, while two products tested positive for above 1% pig DNA.

Initial tests also showed seven samples, representing six varieties of products, may contain horse DNA above 1% and a further three may contain pig DNA above 1%. However, additional tests have to be conducted to verify this.

The second phase included testing of 140 samples of frozen, chilled and tinned ready meals; one product was found to contain levels of pig DNA above 1%.

To date, no products have been verified as containing horse DNA above the 1% level.

Meanwhile, the FSA has decided to lift the suspension on Peter Boddy Licensed Slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, after obtaining guarantees from the company.

On 12 February, the agency suspended operations at this slaughterhouse as part of its ongoing investigation into the mislabeling of meat products.