Tesco beef burgers are 29% horse meat

[JoanByers]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2262961/Beef-burgers-contaminated-HORSE-MEAT-sale-UK-Ireland-supermarkets-including-Tesco.html

It's hardly a surprise now is it. If you are going to eat beef burgers costing £2.52/kg, they clearly can't be made of beef - beef costs more than double that price.

www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=264291549

Cheap processed meat is just disgusting. Ham made from meat slurry (most ham on sale in this country), reconstituted chicken from Thailand (I found this in a sandwich on sale in the Co-Op).

[edam]

Given the suspect DNA was apparently in some product called 'beef filler' which the Irish factory buys in, I think it's pretty clear that dodgy industrial by-products are still routinely used in processed food. Thank Christ I only buy organic sausages for ds, from now on the only burgers he's getting are from Karl the butcher who makes them out of actual meat.

[BettySuarez]

We bought Tesco's Finest beef burgers last week and they were foul. Not so much the taste (although that wasn't much to write home about) but the texture. They had a flabby pappy texture, really gross.

This was before the horse meat story broke and so I wondered about fillers and other evil ingredients.

I'm so fed up of not being able to trust what I buy for my family anymore.

[mam29]

dont know of this helps but detail i been reading surprised me.

I thought meat i was buying a uk/irish
I think this case in burgers possibly is.
the horse dna possibly come from protein fillers they been buying from rest europe which i dident know was added:( and would explantion why meats contaminated.


Been looking at able and cole/riverford organic meat boxes plus waitrose and think can afford to switch if eat less meat so come pay day thats what we doing.

[gaelicsheep]

So where's the "filler" on the ingredients list? Only thing mentioned is soya protein. [Angry] I really can't trust any food any more. :-(

[amillionyears]

I have not trusted any foods since BSE.
Not that I dont eat! But I realised that nothing is guaranteed.
Even friut and veg, when I heard that a lettuce gets sprayed [dont know what with] 50 times, before we get to eat it.

[SPBInDisguise]

Might this see a change in meat production in general and the way meat is viewed/eaten here?
I'd like to think it will. I don't eat meat, but when I buy it for the rest if the family I buy "finest", deluding myself that it's probably high quality.
I recently went through a period of going to a local butchers which was lovely (and cheap!) but I struggle to go when they're actually open, unless I make a special trip, which I prefer not to.

[SPBInDisguise]

Sorry that sounds smug. I'm sure I buy as much crap meat as everyone else and in my case it's worse because I dno't know a lot about it. I'd like to be able to buy good quality meat in relative ignorance :o

[amillionyears]

I think nowadays, for most people, convenience trumps most things. And a cheap price isnt far behind.
So no, I dont see that there will be a sea change.
I think there will be a few who make changes, but not many.

[mam29]

From what i gather they dont have to label it as filler its comes from meat so is clasified as meat and within package weight.Its quite common for them to add to readyemals, prepacked stuff like burgers now im wondering do they do this in their packs of mince?

This has changed way I will shop and even cook.
willbatch cook and freeze if have to.
dont trust any supermarkets now on meat apart from waitrose.
will be buying local farm shop or organic online.

[mam29]

copied from guardian article 16/01/13


How did horsemeat get into the food chain?

One of the factories involved, Dalepak Hambleton, says it is likely to have come from a minor ingredient in the burgers, as all but one of the burgers had very low levels of the DNA. The investigations will focus on suppliers to the factories. The huge amount of DNA in one product does raise questions about whether more major ingredients were contaminated.

A statement from Silvercrest said: "Silvercrest has never purchased or traded in equine product and has launched a full-scale investigation into two continental European third-party suppliers who are the suspected source of the product in question."

As well as the burgers, the FSAI analysis found small traces of horse DNA in batches of raw ingredients, including some imported from the Netherlands and Spain. However, these weren't ingredients that had been used in the tested burgers.

Whats the minor ingrediant doesnt say. I think its the protein filler which they trying not to advertise.

then more recent article 18/01/013


The Tesco burgers that contained up to 29% equine DNA were likely to have been made with high-protein powders derived from horse rather than fresh meat, the Guardian has been told.

The main focus of efforts to trace the source of adulteration in the Tesco economy burgers has now shifted from the meat itself to additives used in the manufacturing process. The Irish processors ABP have pointed the finger at suppliers of the "beef ingredient products" it uses to make cheap burgers. The Tesco burgers were only 63% meat and 37% other ingredients.

Economy burgers are typically bulked out with additive mixes of concentrated proteins extracted from animal carcasses and offcuts. Industry sources said the 29% horse DNA was more likely to have originated with these high-protein powders from rendered horses rather than any fresh horse meat. ABP declined to comment on its ingredients or on the companies it uses for additive mixes but they are believed to be in the Netherlands and Spain. The processor said it had stopped work at its Silvercrest Foods plant in Co Monaghan, Ireland, until further notice.


The Guardian has been told efforts to trace the source of adulteration in the Tesco economy burgers are focusing on additives used in the manufacturing process. ABP has pointed the finger at suppliers of the "beef ingredient products" it uses to make cheap burgers. The Tesco burgers were only 63% meat and 37% other ingredients. Economy burgers are typically bulked out with additive mixes of concentrated proteins extracted from animal carcasses and offcuts. Industry sources said the 29% horse DNA was more likely to have originated with these high-protein powders from rendered horses rather than any fresh horse meat. ABP declined to comment on its ingredients or on the companies it uses for additive mixes but they are believed to be in the Netherlands and Spain.

I dont know whats worse

contaminated meat

or it hidden in protein powders upto 37%non meat god knows what
how they trace exact sources of protein in these powders my gues sis they wont they can say thats source but never really be sure where exactly its come from:(



The Guardian has been told efforts to trace the source of adulteration in the Tesco economy burgers are focusing on additives used in the manufacturing process. ABP has pointed the finger at suppliers of the "beef ingredient products" it uses to make cheap burgers. The Tesco burgers were only 63% meat and 37% other ingredients. Economy burgers are typically bulked out with additive mixes of concentrated proteins extracted from animal carcasses and offcuts. Industry sources said the 29% horse DNA was more likely to have originated with these high-protein powders from rendered horses rather than any fresh horse meat. ABP declined to comment on its ingredients or on the companies it uses for additive mixes but they are believed to be in the Netherlands and Spain.



Industry insiders have told the Guardian they believe that an ingredient called "drind", dehydrated rind or skin, may be at the heart of the scandal. It is commonly used to bulk up cheap meat products.

Additives made from boiled hide or offcuts of carcasses are typically used to bind in added fat and water and increase the protein levels of economy beef products that have a low meat content. These may legally be identified simply as "seasoning" on the label.-SEASONING THAT SEEMS CLEARLY WRONG TO ME!

The labelling is misleading, dishonest and confusing

How long the adulteration and contamination discovered

I always try and buy stuff like b/e that says 100%beef or chicken.

but i may of had this is

ready meal
burgers served other peoples houses or meals out.
premier inn/beef eater just withdrawn their burgers
burger king has to.

new tests this week show 9/13products at factory contaminated factory is now shut.

Mostly people seem blase if its so safe

why destroy all stock

investigation man raises some valid points


Campbell is the chief public analyst for West Yorkshire and a leading expert on the quality of meat. He will carry out some of the testing as the official investigation into the horsemeat scandal develops.

He said that it was "a reflex" for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) to say there was no food safety aspect to scandals of this sort, despite the fact that the law has clearly been broken, which may also mean that it has been broken in other ways.

He questioned whether raw materials could be coming from slaughterhouses that were not approved for processing meat for human consumption, or from unfit horses destined for the knacker's yard but which had instead ended up in the human food chain.

There could also be risks around residues of medicines used for sick animals but not considered safe for the human food chain, he added.

Its total mess and wish they be honest with general public by listing every ingrediant and explaining hat it is an where its come from.

its been an eye opener for me and makes me not trust processed products.

This is good article

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/18/horse-burgers-supermarkets-lose-touch-eat?intcmp=239

I do wonder if this is tip of iceberg if other products like readymeals and packs mince will be affected.

Im taking drastic action now even if means going veggie and cant knowingly feed the kids crap no matter how tight our budget is.

[edam]

I used to think my ex-BIL was extreme, saying he wouldn't buy any meat from a supermarket. He has a deal with a local farmer, where every six months BIL buys half a cow the farmer has had slaughtered. (BIL is Italian and cares deeply about the quality of his food.) You do need an enormous freezer for this one, hence half a cow, not a whole one. BIL's is in the garage. Used to piss my veggie sister off when they were together.

Now he's looking quite sensible...

[edam]

I'm vegetarian but am not being at all smug about this, especially as ds and dh are not. I buy 100% beef burgers for ds - not the cheapest ones but now I realise 100% doesn't mean 100% actual meat, it means beef filler and other adulterants. Disgusting.

[mam29]

Ignore the chatter about horsemeat being good for you; this is not an opportunity to amaze with pony recipes, but a vast fraud perpetrated, inevitably, against poorer consumers. Was anyone surprised that the adulteration occurred in "value" products? I am surprised that the outcry has not been louder ? so far, most of the tears shed have been for the cute ponies, not for the cute children who obliviously swallowed the cute ponies, and then played with their plastic cousins.

its really sad suspect tesco is higher as they use less beef.

ironic really that the most expensive part the beef has been comprimised by cheap filler which has not only resulted in huge losses for retailers and suppliers but bad pr and downturn in sales in future I suspect.

we keep pointing to europe as they do it.

italians and french are dam site more fussy about what they eat then we are .

I fear lack regulation
customer base
The way uk food retail is
demand for cheap products

made the uk the perfect place to dump this stuff and get away with it as we not too fussy.

we dont really know what goes into our food or where it comes from-sad day.

Even no truths out people not outraged, whats the harm, we want cheap meat, horses are healthy so tesco think they got away with treating uk consumer with such contempt.

[amillionyears]

edam, your ex BIL sounds sensible to me!

That is the thing that struck me most of all about BSE.
Just how far and wide, little itsy bits and pieces of an animal, and bits of animals we might rather not think about,found its way into such a wide variety of things. Like sweets.
So, for one example, people who wanted to be vegetarian, were eating bits of animals without realising it.

[amillionyears]

The one good thing that will come out of it, is there will be a whole new generation of people who will now realise there are massive food issues in the UK.
And, hopefully, some of the posters , and there are many, who say that cat food is fit for human consumption, will maybe realise they are likely to be very far wide of the mark.

[Pixel]

Not really. It seems cat food is still just as fit for human consumption as um..human food is, cos it's looking more and more like the same ingredients!

We do try and buy most of our meat from a proper butcher who sells british meat. There's a great shop in the next town which involves a bit of a trip/awkward parking etc so we go every couple of months to stock up and then fill the freezer. However, like anyone else I do buy stuff elsewhere for convenience, well that's going to stop now. Apart from anything else I think its important to support local businesses when we can, otherwise we'll end up with Tesco et al being our only choice. Goodness knows what they'll try to get away with selling us then!

[amillionyears]

Good points Pixel.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

I think the fit for humans part cones from the fact that the canned food is super heated in the can to sterilize it or somethin not so much down to what goes in it. Mind u at least we expect ofal and pot luck meat in pet food so would be eating what we expected as opposed to nasty surprises.

[gaelicsheep]

"Additives made from boiled hide or offcuts of carcasses are typically used to bind in added fat and water and increase the protein levels of economy beef products that have a low meat content. These may legally be identified simply as "seasoning" on the label.-SEASONING THAT SEEMS CLEARLY WRONG TO ME!"

Jesus Fucking Christ!!! I rarely swear on here, but that takes the biscuit. I swear I'm never ever buying meat from a supermarket again - never!

[gaelicsheep]

What really galls me is that by coming out and admitting I bought these bloody things - just once! - it sounds like I just want cheap meat products come what may. I was so naive, assuming so so wrongly that it contained 63% Irish beef (albeit all the bits we don't want to think about) and the rest made up of soya protein and other non-meat filler stuff. I had thought about this and made a reasoned decision, as I have with other products like so-called chicken nuggets from "100% chicken breast". And no I don't even trust mince now either.

I just thank god that only DH and I ate these particular burgers. And to anyone who continues to make blardy horse jokes.

[gaelicsheep]

One more thing:
"We're proud to say that all our ready meals are made from kitchen cupboard ingredients - that you could cook yourself if you wanted".

Tesco - you lying bastards

[mam29]

Im with you gaelic sheep. im not regular tesco shopper thse days but other brands are affected they by far the worst though.

what i learnt is 100%beed is any part of that animal can be described as meat:(

Dident realise about the protein fillers.
Looks like thats whats caused problem.

As for the seasoning bit can made me feel naucious.

Then today got told with the frozen roasts they use protein filler glue:(I had an aldis 4bird roast this xmas:(

I havent knowingly gone out and brought the cheapest always brought expensive lean fresh mince from uk, occasionally fresh abredeen agus burgers in sumemr from chiler now im wondering about them:(.

Read today maccy ds has more stringent controls.

they micne their own meat and add nothing according to their website.

Went tesco metro over xmas and had couple finest readymeals as they were reduced now think oh god could you trust them with meat again they were duped.

Its made me question my regular butcher and search for a new one.

im investigating local butchers

only order organic from waitrose, able and cole or ocado now.

I normaly shop at sainsburys but they with withdrew stuff to as did local co-op. never realised they all used same supplier.

[Furball]

I said on the other thread

Ready meals with chicken - in sainsburys it says 'this chicken is from either thailand or argentina'

The can't even say where it's from - that to me rings huge bells, They are assuming we are not bothered about where the chicken is from so had done a broad sweep.

Did anyone watch the programme about Jimmy from Jimmys farm? Jimmy was trying to persuade Tesco's to make free range chicken kievs. He had to really fight with tesco's to give it a go for the same price as their usual.

Tesco claim, Chicken Kievs is a really good seller and didn't want to change.

Jimmy managed to source ex free range chicken meat from old egg layers, which were deemed worthless to the UK so shipped to China?? Meanwhile we are buying god knows what in from Thailand and Argentina.

tescos didn't really promote and shoved it at the back of the shelves - I bought them, but chicken kievs aint really my thing but had to really search the shelves for them.

Surely if you are buying chicken kiev or any chicken ready meal, you would prefer (and they should be promoting more), ex laying free range chicken from the uk?

Chicken meat is being shipped here there and everyif our own our meat standards will govern from egg to the shelf.

[Furball]

sorry last line should read:-

Chicken meat is being shipped here there and everywhere and if uk meat our meat standards will govern from egg to the shelf.

[mam29]

Furball weirdly watched it few day ago as nothing on telly and had it recorded on planner and was bit shocked by their attitudes dont think they came across well when i think their pr department thourght they might.

I felt they gave jimmy quite a tight difficult timeline on producing it.
The price-I honestly think they thourght ahh he never do it for that price.Dont you?

Then when he went to irish factory to produce I was like ohh grim we know how that turned out with burgers.

When it came to britsih rose veal wanted to kick into longgrass jimmy wasent even allowed to discuss it.

How can they announce in 2003 saying they commited and 2013 now its words no acion designed to make consumer think that tesco cares.

As for launching new product the promotion was dire.

why wasent on an end?
why wasent it launched and advertised properly.
I suspect thats why sausages failed but having worked for supermarkets they very struct here things should go not even the store manager has much flexibility its ridgid according to head office and buyers as in store we cant see the profit margins they make on certain products.

Im wondering with kiev if same retail price but margin less and they just felt their customer base the ones who buy a £2 chicken wouldent be bothered.

We seen it before with hugh and jaimie chicken out

they either refused to come on and talk
refused to change.
hugh even brought shares just to have a say.

its a dicatorship they subcontracted so much unlike waitrose /morrisions even co-op all have own british farms/butchers which could be there downfall as they not that cheap on price.


Also tbh the chicken might be ok but who knows what tesco would add to breadcrumbs?

I have a chicken based ready meal in freezer cant see origion of chicken on box, brought it reduced on boxing day.
I only went to see if they had good reductions.

Iceland all the frozen poultry is a abroad.

Im giving up birds/eye from now on as despite the 100%beef/chicken lost faith inprocessed foods