Horse DNA found at new meat plant

Feb 4 2013

A second meat processing plant in Ireland has tested positive for traces of horse meat.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed damaging findings of 75% equine DNA in raw ingredient at Rangeland Foods in Co Monaghan.

Just days after the ABP Food Group lost an estimated 45 million euro in contracts over the deepening scandal, Irish police have been called in to aid inquiries.

A special investigation unit from the department has been tasked to get to the bottom of the controversy.

In a statement the department said production has been suspended at Rangeland, a frozen burger supplier established in 1892 with a turnover of 18m euro and about 80 staff.

"The company has indicated that none of this product has entered the food chain," the department said.

Inquiries into whether Polish labelled product has been used in other meat processing plants in Ireland are ongoing.

Rangeland called in authorities last Thursday amid suspicions that Polish sourced meat may contain horse.

An Irish-based trader had imported the meat, the department said.

"The investigation is focusing on the full supply chain including the meat trader concerned and others who facilitated the purchase of the product and its transfer to users in Ireland," the department said.

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