Horsemeat scandal reverberates across Europe

The Romanian horsemeat used in French-supplied frozen 'beef' products 'appeared to be a fraud', France’s consumer affairs minister said on the 10 February 2013, as the horsemeat scandal that erupted the previous week in the United Kingdom reverberated across the continent.

France’s biggest supermarket chains removed more of their own-label and Findus-branded processed dishes from their shelves. Some Findus lasagne products tested in the UK were found to contain more than 60% horsemeat.

Investigations revealed a tortuous supply chain spanning several countries, with the companies involved scrambling to shift the blame away from themselves.

EU agriculture and food safety ministers discussed the horsemeat scandal that had reportedly affected up to 16 countries on the 13 February 2013.

BBC News, 10.02.13: Horsemeat scandal: Focus switches to Romania http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21401111

France24, 10.02.13: French retailers pull Findus amid horsemeat scandal http://www.france24.com/en/20130210-french-retailers-pull-findus-frozen-meal-products-horsemeat-contamination-scandal-france

Reuters, 12.02.13: France, Britain promise punishment in horsemeat scandal http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/10/uk-britain-food-horsemeat-france-idUKBRE91808520130210

DutchNews.nl, 11.02.13: Food inspectors investigate Dutch role in horse meat scandal http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/02/food_inspectors_investigate_du.php

EUObserver, 11.02.13: Horsemeat scandal widens to France, Sweden, Romania http://euobserver.com/economic/119014

France24, 11.02.13: French cabinet in emergency horsemeat talks http://www.france24.com/en/20130211-horsemeat-findus-lasagne-france-comigel-ministers-inquiry

Deutsche Welle,08.02.13: Horsemeat ready meals prompt European food recall http://www.dw.de/horsemeat-ready-meals-prompt-european-food-recall/a-16587823

EurActiv, 12.02.13: EU ministers to meet over horsemeat concerns http://www.euractiv.com/health/ministers-meet-horsemeat-news-517736

România libera / Adevărul, 11.02.13: Meat scandal puts Bucharest back in the pillory (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/3392521-meat-scandal-puts-bucharest-back-pillory

Ireland: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Press Release, 12.02.13: Coveney announces further actions to reassure consumers as horse meat controversy becomes European issue http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2013/february/title,68739,en.html

UK: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Food and farming: Food: Food labelling: Processed beef products and horse meat (News and background) http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/food/labelling/processed-beef-horse-meat/

EFSA: Press Release, 11.02.13: Horsemeat in the EU food chain http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/130211.htm

BBC News, 13.02.13: Horsemeat scandal: EU ministers hold crisis talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21437317

EurActiv, 13.02.13: EU debates tighter food labelling rules after horsemeat scandal http://www.euractiv.com/health/parliament-discuss-food-labellin-news-517760

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/13/97: Statement by Commissioner Borg on the findings of horse meat in meat products containing different type of meat http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-97_en.pdf

European Commission: DG Health and Consumer Protection: Food safety: Regulatory Committees: Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/rc/scfcah/index_en.html

Ireland: EU Presidency: Press Release, 11.02.13: Irish Presidency convenes informal meeting with interested parties on horse meat issue http://www.eu2013.ie/news/news-items/20130211informalmeetinghorsemeat/

Deutsche Welle, 13.02.13: European horse meat scandal gallops on http://www.dw.de/european-horse-meat-scandal-gallops-on/a-16595118

Spiegel Online International, 13.02.13: Dead Animals 'Go Interrailing': Horsemeat Scandal Is a Europe-Wide Problem http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/great-britain-calls-for-new-eu-rules-after-horsemeat-scandal-a-883216.html

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