Grocers ordered to publish DNA test results to retail consumer confidence as horse meat scandal escalates

Supermarkets have agreed to publish the findings of tests on any contaminated meat from the horse meat that was discovered in burgers and pork in halal meals.

The Foods Standards Agency (FSA) met with representatives of Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, the Co-op and Waitrose yesterday to agree the details of new DNA tests, The Mirror reported.

Agriculture minister David Heath said: “It is a significant move that will give consumers confidence in what they’re buying.

“This is a shared problem that needs a shared solution. It is now important that the industry starts sharing this information with customers as soon as possible.”

The FSA said it and the grocers need to act “swiftly” to retain consumer confidence in buying meat.

The move comes as a further Irish suppler, Rangeland Foods, suspended production after discovering its beef contained 75% equine DNA from a supplier in Poland. Rangeland supplies a number of pubs and restaurants and follows former Tesco, Co-op, Aldi and Lidl supplier Silvercrest, which was delisted by the grocers, in shutting down production.

Northern Irish firm McColgan Quality Foods was also found to have supplied pork found in halal savoury beef pies and pasties supplied to prisons this week.

Last week it emerged the Co-op and Asda had joined Tesco, Iceland, Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose in stocking burgers which contained traces of horse DNA.