Horse Meat Scandal

Horse Meat Scandal

Executive Summary

These days, horse meat scandal is on its height in the food sector of entire Europe. Food industry has been hit by this issue very badly. Many big food retail companies are being suffered by this issue. Story reveals the presence of adulteration in beef. Samples were collected from several restaurants. Laboratory tests showed surprise results and found the presence of horse meat in beef. Few samples also gave signs of pork in beef products. Test results showed around 29% to 89% presence of horse DNA in beef items. European society has taken this issue seriously. Government officials also have taken the issue into consideration. European media are taking this story to the level of crisis. Big giants in the food industry are making devastating losses because civilian community has started forgo the beef items of the restaurant. Issue is not about just having the adulteration of horse meat but the companies' claim which are selling the meat by labeling as beef. Horse meat and pork are totally prohibited in some religions and sinful to consume of such prohibited meat. Horse meat is not directly harmful for humans, but few horses are injected some drugs which could be harmful for humans. Companies are not giving satisfactory statements in this regard. Some companies are directly blaming their suppliers; few belong to different countries. Many companies are giving blame to the retailers. One of the suppliers of meat in Europe stated earlier that horse meat was sent properly to clients with appropriate labeling and mismanagement is on the other side of the hand. Government is promising to resolve this issue very soon. Media and critics are also playing their vital role by creating hype on this issue.

Horse Meat - A Scandal or a lack of effective management?

Introduction

Nowadays throughout the Europe there is, food related issue is in discussion, foods those have claimed as containing beef are suspected to having unsaid horse meat and other unannounced meats, like pork. This issue came into a discussion in Jan, 2013, when it was stated that horse DNA has been revealed in beef burgers traded in Ireland plus many British supermarkets. In fact, horse meat is not dangerous to the physical condition and is consumed in numerous countries, but it is perceived as forbidden foodstuff in few countries covering United Kingdom and Ireland. The examinations affirmed that many of the samples of Beef burgers contained pig DNA. (Horsemeat Legal Action Starts in Europe Sky News. 11 February 2013).

Interrogation & Analysis

Investigations first began by the FSAI (Food Safety Authority of Ireland) and reported the existence of horse meat in beef and also present findings to the public. The first positive test for DNA was in Dec, 2012. After that many tests have been conducted on subsequent dates. Eurofins laboratory took the samples to Germany and indicated the occurrence of horse DNA. Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland obtained few more samples. Those were sent to the Identigen ...