Northallerton meat processing plant probe after horsemeat found in supermarket beefburgers

8:21pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Nigel Burton

The burgers were on sale at Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes stores The burgers were on sale at Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes stores

A MEAT processing plant in North Yorkshire is at the centre of a food safety probe after beefburgers supplied to leading supermarkets were found to contain horsemeat.

Products from the Dalepak Hambleton plant in Northallerton and two other facilities in Ireland were investigated by a food safety watchdog. The burgers were on sale at Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes Stores, but it is not known which plant supplied the contaminated meat.

Last night, after the results of the study, by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) were published, Tesco withdrew the products from sale, calling the incidents “extremely serious”.

The investigation into the authenticity of a number of beefburger, beef meal and salami products on sale in Ireland, found a number tested positive for horse DNA, something it said was “not in our culture to eat”. In addition, some products were also found to contain pig DNA.

Products from the Dalepak plant and from two plants in Ireland, Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods, were tested and horse DNA was found.

tesco burgers

Of 27 products analysed, ten were found to contain horse DNA and 23 pig DNA.

Although most samples contained only low amounts of contamination, in one Tesco Everyday Value product, horsemeat accounted for about 29 per cent of the meat content relative to beef.

The FSAI said there was no risk to health, but its chief executive, Professor Alan Reilly, said: “While there is a plausible explanation for the presence of pig DNA in these products due to the fact that meat from different animals is processed in the same meat plants, there is no clear explanation at this time for the presence of horse DNA in products emanating from meat plants that do not use horsemeat in their production process.

“In Ireland, it is not in our culture to eat horsemeat and, therefore, we do not expect to find it in a burger.”

While he did not single out any one particular supplier, Tesco spokesman Tim Smith said: “The safety and quality of our food is of the highest importance to Tesco. We will not tolerate any compromise in the quality of the food we sell.

“The presence of illegal meat in our products is extremely serious. Our customers have the right to expect that food they buy is produced to the highest standards.

“The relevant authorities have said that these findings pose no risk to public health.

"We understand that many of our customers will be concerned by this news, and we apologise sincerely for any distress.”

No one was available for comment at Dalepak’s plant in Leeming Bar.

People phoning the firm who are put on hold hear a recorded message about its “delicious premium, standard and economy burgers... each one produced with care and for quality assurance”.

Comments (45)

9:37pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Bemused or bewildered says...

I'm off to Tesco.... I could eat a horse
I'm off to Tesco.... I could eat a horse Bemused or bewildered

9:51pm Tue 15 Jan 13

bishop1 says...

might have been a bit worried if they found traces of dog or cat , lol
might have been a bit worried if they found traces of dog or cat , lol bishop1

9:56pm Tue 15 Jan 13

outragedofmiltonkeynes says...

Yeah but which bits of the cow actually made it into the burgers? Arses and eyebrows ill wager so the presence of a bit of horse is the least thing to worry about.
Yeah but which bits of the cow actually made it into the burgers? Arses and eyebrows ill wager so the presence of a bit of horse is the least thing to worry about. outragedofmiltonkeynes

3:30am Wed 16 Jan 13

mattwardman says...

Dobbin for dinner.

Yum.

Please, Tesco, will you introduce REAL horseburgers.
Dobbin for dinner. Yum. Please, Tesco, will you introduce REAL horseburgers. mattwardman

9:05am Wed 16 Jan 13

Voice-of-reality says...

Provided that is is properly cooked - and not served pink - the likelihood of food poisoning from horse meat is very low. When cooked as a fillet a little rosemary lightens the taste beautifully - though sage also works well. You really ought to try it Doonhamer.
Provided that is is properly cooked - and not served pink - the likelihood of food poisoning from horse meat is very low. When cooked as a fillet a little rosemary lightens the taste beautifully - though sage also works well. You really ought to try it Doonhamer. Voice-of-reality

9:15am Wed 16 Jan 13

Ally F says...

What do you expect paying a quid for 8 burgers? Do you REALLY think they are finest Aberdeen Angus? The remarkable aspect of this story is that they deteted some meat in the product at all, be it horse, giraffe, kangaroo, dog, cat, etc.
What do you expect paying a quid for 8 burgers? Do you REALLY think they are finest Aberdeen Angus? The remarkable aspect of this story is that they deteted some meat in the product at all, be it horse, giraffe, kangaroo, dog, cat, etc. Ally F

9:26am Wed 16 Jan 13

greenfinger says...

i had some tesco burgers before i went for a 4 mile run last night. i did it in six minutes and jumped 19 fences.
i had some tesco burgers before i went for a 4 mile run last night. i did it in six minutes and jumped 19 fences. greenfinger

9:29am Wed 16 Jan 13

greenfinger says...

i went back for some more........ and they're off!
i went back for some more........ and they're off! greenfinger

10:41am Wed 16 Jan 13

borosteve says...

I suppose it's horses for first courses! I had a Lidl burger for my tea last night and this morning I awoke feeling a little horse....neigh neigh neigh Mr. Wilks!
I suppose it's horses for first courses! I had a Lidl burger for my tea last night and this morning I awoke feeling a little horse....neigh neigh neigh Mr. Wilks! borosteve

10:51am Wed 16 Jan 13

Butafly says...

makes sense to why the iceland burgers a few wks ago made us feel abit yuk for 24hrs,although cooked properly.
i agree with the 8burgers for £1 comment, suppose you get what you pay for yeh! or neigh?
makes sense to why the iceland burgers a few wks ago made us feel abit yuk for 24hrs,although cooked properly. i agree with the 8burgers for £1 comment, suppose you get what you pay for yeh! or neigh? Butafly

11:06am Wed 16 Jan 13

greenfinger says...

they didn't last furlong......
they didn't last furlong...... greenfinger

11:19am Wed 16 Jan 13

behonest says...

Now we know what happened to Shergar.

doonhamer - do you really hope people will suffer from food poisoning? Are you a dour, miserable Scot by any chance?
Now we know what happened to Shergar. doonhamer - do you really hope people will suffer from food poisoning? Are you a dour, miserable Scot by any chance? behonest

12:05pm Wed 16 Jan 13

shirt of blue says...

borosteve wrote:
I suppose it's horses for first courses! I had a Lidl burger for my tea last night and this morning I awoke feeling a little horse....neigh neigh neigh Mr. Wilks!
Mr Wilks - a blast from the past - lol
[quote][p][bold]borosteve[/bold] wrote: I suppose it's horses for first courses! I had a Lidl burger for my tea last night and this morning I awoke feeling a little horse....neigh neigh neigh Mr. Wilks![/p][/quote]Mr Wilks - a blast from the past - lol shirt of blue

1:33pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Ally F says...

Not a very nutritional product - very high in fat and shergar.
Not a very nutritional product - very high in fat and shergar. Ally F

1:35pm Wed 16 Jan 13

battboy77 says...

doonhamer wrote:
Above posts think its a joke, lets hope someone near or dear to them suffers from food poisoning, then we can all have a laugh with them. As for the 3.30am post, what Ward are you in in Broadmoor Matt, man ????
doonhamer you need to lighten up, there only horsing around. Neighhhone can really take this too serious, It's horses for main Courses. i'm gonna hoof it on down to Aldi to see if they have any left. and maybe wash them down with some Red Rum, while watching Neighhhhbours.
[quote][p][bold]doonhamer[/bold] wrote: Above posts think its a joke, lets hope someone near or dear to them suffers from food poisoning, then we can all have a laugh with them. As for the 3.30am post, what Ward are you in in Broadmoor Matt, man ????[/p][/quote]doonhamer you need to lighten up, there only horsing around. Neighhhone can really take this too serious, It's horses for main Courses. i'm gonna hoof it on down to Aldi to see if they have any left. and maybe wash them down with some Red Rum, while watching Neighhhhbours. battboy77

1:37pm Wed 16 Jan 13

glyn says...

For years I have been asked if I had eaten horse meat and I always said "no, not to my knowledge".

I have always said that you do not know what your eating. Who knows whats in our curries and kebabs.

At the end of the day, as other writers have said, at least customers got some meat and its healthy. No harm done
For years I have been asked if I had eaten horse meat and I always said "no, not to my knowledge". I have always said that you do not know what your eating. Who knows whats in our curries and kebabs. At the end of the day, as other writers have said, at least customers got some meat and its healthy. No harm done glyn

1:40pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Butafly says...

despite the recent news, tesco say that their beef burger sales remain STABLE!
despite the recent news, tesco say that their beef burger sales remain STABLE! Butafly

2:04pm Wed 16 Jan 13

behonest says...

When it comes to a Tesco scandal, it never pours, it reins.
When it comes to a Tesco scandal, it never pours, it reins. behonest

3:07pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Voice-of-reality says...

Given the number of gypsy horses that one often sees outside Iceland and Aldi in Bishop Auckland, is some enterprising young fellow cutting out the middle man? The truth must be told....
Given the number of gypsy horses that one often sees outside Iceland and Aldi in Bishop Auckland, is some enterprising young fellow cutting out the middle man? The truth must be told.... Voice-of-reality

3:45pm Wed 16 Jan 13

rat man says...

Tesco's say that they have been saddled with thousands of burgers on their shelves which they cannot sell
Tesco's say that they have been saddled with thousands of burgers on their shelves which they cannot sell rat man

3:53pm Wed 16 Jan 13

rat man says...

I ate one of their burgers and had the trots for a week.
I ate one of their burgers and had the trots for a week. rat man

4:00pm Wed 16 Jan 13

blindgary1 says...

29% horse yes i allways wondered why mc donals was built near that meat factory,and the poor farmers of the new forest and dartmoor only got a quid for each pony, i bet they feel ripped off now but saying that the horse meat probaly gave the burger a beefy taste tastes like beef i have eating donkey in pourtugal lovely in a bun .
29% horse yes i allways wondered why mc donals was built near that meat factory,and the poor farmers of the new forest and dartmoor only got a quid for each pony, i bet they feel ripped off now but saying that the horse meat probaly gave the burger a beefy taste tastes like beef i have eating donkey in pourtugal lovely in a bun . blindgary1

4:02pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Bagatino says...

Ah yes, the tiny traces of horsemeat in these burgers must obviously account for the various cases of food poisoning that may or may not have occured over the past one day to period. It's nothing to do with the fact that it was undercooked/of extremely low quality/just another appalling excuse for a meal etc...

It is of course, totally unfathomable that horse meat is perfectly safe to eat if cooked properly. If only it were the same for beef, pork, chick- ... oh... hold on a minute...
Ah yes, the tiny traces of horsemeat in [some of] these burgers must obviously account for the various cases of food poisoning that may or may not have occured over the past one day to period. It's nothing to do with the fact that it was undercooked/of extremely low quality/just another appalling excuse for a meal etc... It is of course, totally unfathomable that horse meat is perfectly safe to eat if cooked properly. If only it were the same for beef, pork, chick- ... oh... hold on a minute... Bagatino

4:07pm Wed 16 Jan 13

battboy77 says...

I wish people would just stop nagging about this!!! I would love to voice my opinion in public but quite frankly my throats a bit horse.
I wish people would just stop nagging about this!!! I would love to voice my opinion in public but quite frankly my throats a bit horse. battboy77

5:07pm Wed 16 Jan 13

loan_star says...

I went to buy some burgers from Tesco but it was a mare finding any!
I went to buy some burgers from Tesco but it was a mare finding any! loan_star

5:21pm Wed 16 Jan 13

rat man says...

Have you tried Tesco's new Fillydelphia cheese to compliment the their burger range?
Have you tried Tesco's new Fillydelphia cheese to compliment the their burger range? rat man

5:22pm Wed 16 Jan 13

tomtopper says...

Forget the Tesco burgers... Have you tried the meatballs? They're the dogs ****..
Forget the Tesco burgers... Have you tried the meatballs? They're the dogs ****.. tomtopper

5:26pm Wed 16 Jan 13

rat man says...

FSA say they are now testing Tesco and Lidl horseradish sauce for traces of beef!
FSA say they are now testing Tesco and Lidl horseradish sauce for traces of beef! rat man

6:20pm Wed 16 Jan 13

rat man says...

Burgers on sale in Iceland Stores have now been implicated. Clearly, this is just the tip of the iceburger!
Burgers on sale in Iceland Stores have now been implicated. Clearly, this is just the tip of the iceburger! rat man

7:51pm Wed 16 Jan 13

rat man says...

Following the success of food products endorsed by the likes of Linda Mc Cartney, Paul Newman, and LLoyd Grossman Tesco's have announced that their new range of Frankie Dettori burgers and meat balls will be on their shelves by the weekend. They have assured customers that unlike Frankie, this new range will not contain any banned substances.
Following the success of food products endorsed by the likes of Linda Mc Cartney, Paul Newman, and LLoyd Grossman Tesco's have announced that their new range of Frankie Dettori burgers and meat balls will be on their shelves by the weekend. They have assured customers that unlike Frankie, this new range will not contain any banned substances. rat man

9:04pm Wed 16 Jan 13

spragger says...

Tesco's gallop by the competition after another stable year
Tesco's gallop by the competition after another stable year spragger

10:54pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Voice-of-reality says...

Surely the government is to blame... if fox hunting had been allowed again there would be work for the hunt horses and they would not need to be recycled so young.
Surely the government is to blame... if fox hunting had been allowed again there would be work for the hunt horses and they would not need to be recycled so young. Voice-of-reality

11:02pm Wed 16 Jan 13

theWorkerScum says...

Didn't realise there were so many comedians in the north east. I think it appalling I only like eating animals that aren't cute.
Didn't realise there were so many comedians in the north east. I think it appalling I only like eating animals that aren't cute. theWorkerScum

9:04am Thu 17 Jan 13

greenfinger says...

the mrs asked if i wanted anything on my tesco burger. i said "yeah i'll have a fiver each way please".
the mrs asked if i wanted anything on my tesco burger. i said "yeah i'll have a fiver each way please". greenfinger

9:18am Thu 17 Jan 13

Heretic says...

The Aldi horse burgers were nice, but I prefer my Lidl pony.
The Aldi horse burgers were nice, but I prefer my Lidl pony. Heretic

9:20am Thu 17 Jan 13

Heretic says...

Breaking news: Uniquorn found in Tesco veggie burgers.
Breaking news: Uniquorn found in Tesco veggie burgers. Heretic

11:24am Thu 17 Jan 13

tomtopper says...

I've had it up to here with these tesco horse burger jokes.
They're only for fools......... and horses.
I've had it up to here with these tesco horse burger jokes. They're only for fools......... and horses. tomtopper

11:26am Thu 17 Jan 13

tomtopper says...

And to everyone posting jokes about Tesco burgers.... Could you also mention Lidl, Aldi, Waitrose and Iceland as it seems only fair.

It's not a one horse race, you know
And to everyone posting jokes about Tesco burgers.... Could you also mention Lidl, Aldi, Waitrose and Iceland as it seems only fair. It's not a one horse race, you know tomtopper

11:51am Thu 17 Jan 13

fracker says...

now i know where the horses i backed finished up!!
now i know where the horses i backed finished up!! fracker

11:51am Thu 17 Jan 13

fracker says...

now i know where the horses i backed finished up!!
now i know where the horses i backed finished up!! fracker

7:25pm Thu 17 Jan 13

hullgodfreyshire says...

they asked me if I had eaten any of their burgers
I relied "neigh laddie neigh
they asked me if I had eaten any of their burgers I relied "neigh laddie neigh hullgodfreyshire

8:30pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Lifetime Townie says...

What's the problem with eating horsemeat, it was a wartime food for some people and were glad to eat it.
Lets have more of it!
What's the problem with eating horsemeat, it was a wartime food for some people and were glad to eat it. Lets have more of it! Lifetime Townie

12:45pm Sun 20 Jan 13

Oaky says...

I heard there were complaints in France some time ago when some of their horseburgers had traces of beef in them.
I heard there were complaints in France some time ago when some of their horseburgers had traces of beef in them. Oaky

6:37pm Sun 20 Jan 13

Longbowman666 says...

This scandal simply just goes to show that you really can flog a dead horse!
This scandal simply just goes to show that you really can flog a dead horse! Longbowman666

6:48pm Sun 20 Jan 13

Oaky says...

You can actually buy horse meat online but it's quite expensive. That's the only reason I haven't tried it.
You can actually buy horse meat online but it's quite expensive. That's the only reason I haven't tried it. Oaky

Comments are closed on this article.

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