THE emergence of evidence of significant traces of horse meat in some supermarket burgers has created a large sense of shock and concern among many Northern Ireland consumers, with food health investigators urgently monitoring the situation.
It was disclosed that some beefburgers on sale in supermarkets in the UK and in the Republic contained an element of horse meat, having been discovered after tests in the Republic.
The Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland is currently attempting to establish if any of the products ended up on Northern Ireland shelves.
The burgers had been on sale in Tesco and Iceland in the UK and Republic, where they were also on sale in Dunnes Stores, Lidl and Aldi. Health officials say there was no risk to human health and the burgers had been removed.
This may be so, but consumers are entitled to know precisely what they are purchasing from food shelves, particularly in relation to content of meat, chicken and pork products.
This latest revelation is a very serious breach of trust by both the manufacturers of the burgers and the outlets that sell them on.
It has never been a UK tradition for people to eat horse meat, unlike in France where equine food is normally on restaurant and hotel menus. Thus, the disquiet among consumers here.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union, however, appears relaxed about the burger scandal, with president Harry Sinclair stating it was not a public health issue.
“This situation highlights the importance of supporting local farm quality assured beef with the traceability and quality that consumers expect,” he said.
Indeed, consumers might do well to follow this advice.