Horsemeat scandal: Nestle remove products from shelves

Nestle has removed beef meals from shops in Italy and Spain in the wake of the Horsemeat scandal

16:39 19 February 2013

Nestle has become the latest firm to be affected by the Horsemeat scandal, as it has had to remove beef pasta meals from sale in Italy and Spain. The reason for this action is believed to be because horsemeat was found in the products.

Tests revealed that traces of horse DNA were in fact present in certain products. As a result, Nestle, who are one of the largest food companies, withdrew certain processed beef products from sale in the two European countries.

 

It is believed the products that were taken off the shelves were Buitoni Beef Ravioli and Beef Tortellini. According to reports the traces of horse DNA found in the chilled pasta meals were small amounts.

 

A statement from the firm commented on the horsemeat situation. It said: “There is no food safety issue, but the mislabelling of products means they fail to meet the very high standards consumers expect from us.”

 

Nestle, who are based in Switzerland, are understood to have ceased operations with one of their suppliers from Germany as of time of press. 

 

In the wake of the incident, Nestle also said they would be enhancing “existing comprehensive quality assurance programme by adding new tests on beef for horse DNA prior to production in Europe”.

 

The news comes following last week’s meeting in Brussels, where a review of the horsemeat scandal took place. The UK has said that it will look into testing certain frozen food products.

 

The situation surrounding horsemeat first came to light in January this year, as some UK and Irish supermarkets withdrew types of beefburgers from sale because of concerns they contained horsemeat.