FSA Press Release (2003/0344), 12 March 2003
The problem was first exposed in an Agency survey published in December 2001.
Results published today revealed that these practices are continuing, and provide
the evidence on which local authorities can now consider formal enforcement
action.
Today's results show that the labels on more than half the samples surveyed
claimed to have a higher meat content than was actually the case. Almost three
quarters used the description chicken 'breast' or 'fillet', which should only
be used for chicken with no added ingredients; almost half contained traces
of DNA from pigs and all but one of these were labelled as Halal. All of the
samples were taken from wholesalers dealing primarily with the catering trade.
David Statham, Director of Enforcement at the Food Standards Agency, said:
'We know that in some cases consumers are not always getting what they pay for and the Food Standards Agency is determined to stamp this out. What is even more unacceptable is the total disregard as to how offensive this is to Muslim communities who may be eating food which is forbidden by their religious beliefs. For this reason, we have identified the brands so that people catering for these communities can take action themselves to avoid them.
'Armed with the results from this exercise, our local authority colleagues are now deciding what action would be appropriate to take against the wholesalers. We have also passed this information to our counterparts in the Netherlands, who have responsibility for taking action against the manufacturers.'
This exercise is part of an ongoing investigation into processed chicken used by the catering industry. 25 samples were taken from wholesalers and one manufacturing site across the UK. This chicken was processed in one of 10 EU plants; one in the UK, two in Belgium and seven in The Netherlands. The sampling was designed to target companies on the basis of the results from the first survey, to see if improvements had been made after these practices were first exposed. The most sophisticated and sensitive scientific techniques available were used to ensure that the ingredients were measured as accurately as possible.
During processing, ingredients including water and in some cases hydrolysed protein, generally made from chicken or other animal skins, can be added. Often this is to 'bulk up' the chicken, making it appear larger than it really is. Whilst adding these ingredients to the chicken is legally permitted, they must be clearly labelled. The percentage of meat content must also be accurately labelled.
The results of the survey showed that:
The exercise was funded by the Food Standards Agency and coordinated with the
assistance of Hull Trading Standards.
The Agency published a survey of catering chicken with added ingredients in
December 2001. A separate survey was carried out by the Food Safety Authority-Ireland
in May 2002. Both of these surveys showed problems with undeclared water and
added hydrolysed protein. Fillet and breast, when used in relation to chicken,
are legal terms defined by the European Poultrymeat Marketing Regulations. They
should only be used for fresh chicken pieces with no added ingredients.
Deficient meat content is an offence under the Food Labelling Regulations attracting a £5000 penalty, but it also could be an offence under the Food Safety Act 1990.
Whilst the results published today are a full picture of the findings, the Agency has omitted certain identifying details in relation to the specific products and companies involved. This is to ensure that any possible prosecutions are not compromised.