BEEF burgers have been removed from the menus of hundreds of schools due to fears over horse meat contamination.
Three of Northern Ireland’s education boards initially cancelled orders with local suppliers although one has since reversed its decision.
Both the North Eastern and South Eastern boards have withdrawn burgers after the discovery of horse meat being passed off as beef in some products.
The Southern board said it had reinstated burgers after “confirmation from suppliers that all meat supplied is from a bovine source”.
According to a BBC report, the other two education boards – the Western and Belfast boards – have said they will be keeping burgers on the menu. The Western board has confirmed that after speaking to its suppliers it had no plans to withdraw the popular snack.
“The situation is being closely monitored and, if circumstances change, further action may be taken,” a Western board spokesperson said.
“It should be noted that with the introduction of nutritional standards the vast majority of meals offered to pupils are freshly cooked using fresh local produce.”
The Belfast education board said its school catering professionals place a “very high priority” on ensuring that all foodstuffs supplied to children and young people meet the highest quality standards.
“In light of recent events, the school catering service immediately sought assurances from suppliers that products used by the service were not affected,” it said.
“Given these assurances, burgers have not been removed from the menu of schools in the Belfast Education and Library Board area. This situation will remain under review.”
The Southern board acted to remove both fresh and frozen burgers from school meals last month.
However, yesterday a spokesman said: “Burgers have been reinstated on school menus by SELB catering service following receipt of confirmation from suppliers that all meat supplied is from a bovine source.”
A statement issued by the North Eastern board said: “We would like to reassure parents that the meat used in our school kitchens is supplied locally and all menu items such as spaghetti bolognese or meatballs are prepared by the school catering staff using fresh, minced steak.”
It added: “However, as a result of current issues with regard to meat processing, the catering service felt it appropriate not to offer steak burgers as a menu choice with effect from February 6, 2013, until further clarification is obtained from our suppliers.
“We trust that this precautionary measure provides parents and pupils with reassurance and confidence in the menu items that are on offer in our school kitchens.”
The South Eastern board removed its frozen burgers from the menu on Wednesday.
It said: “The boards administering the contracts for the supply of frozen beef burgers have received from its suppliers assurances that none of the burgers which they supply are affected with equine DNA.”
Although the burgers were not initially withdrawn, the board said it had reviewed its position “in light of more recent media coverage” and began removing frozen burgers from school meals’ menus on Wednesday.
Across the UK and the Republic, food suppliers and government authorities have been carrying out checks on meat products to ensure they are free of equine DNA.