Asda Withdraws Burgers Over Horsemeat Controversy

Supermarket chain Asda has withdrawn four frozen burger products produced by a company in Northern Ireland after a separate batch of meat on the premises was found to contain horse DNA.

The Food Standards Agency has carried out tests on the meat, which were accompanied by the supermarket’s own tests.

The four burger products being produced by Freeza Meats for Asda have come back free of any trace of horse meat, according to Asda.

But, in a statement the supermarket chain said: "Although all the science says there’s no trace of horse meat in the burgers produced for Asda, we can’t and won’t take any chances when it comes to the authenticity of ingredients in our products – so as a precaution we’ve taken all four frozen burger products off sale.

"We have instructed Freeza Meats to segregate and hold any frozen burgers currently in production or in their supply chain destined for Asda. These four products will remain withdrawn from sale until further notice.

"Our move comes after the Food Standards Agency tested a quantity of frozen meat being held in a cold store by Freeza Meats for another trader."

Asda has taken the action as part of investigations following the discovery of horse DNA in meat at a factory in the Republic of Ireland.

(IT)