Food Law News - UK - 2013


FSA News Items, 24 January 2013

MEAT - FSA statements on bute in horse meat

The following statements were both issued on 24 January 2013

(1) FSA issues statement on bute in horse meat

The Agency has issued a statement on bute in horse meat. Horses that have been treated with the drug phenylbutazone or 'bute' are not allowed to enter the food chain.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) carries out checks in slaughterhouses to ensure that horses presented for slaughter are fit for human consumption, in the same way as they do for other animals such as sheep and cattle. The FSA also carries out regular enhanced sampling and testing for phenylbutazone in meat from horses slaughtered in the UK.

In 2012, the FSA identified five cases where horses returned non-compliant results. None of the meat had been placed for sale on the UK market. Where the meat had been exported to other countries, the relevant food safety authorities were informed.

During the recent horse meat incident the Food Safety Authority of Ireland checked for the presence of phenylbutazone and the samples came back negative.

(2) Bute in horse meat update

The Agency has updated its statement on bute in horse meat. In 2012, the FSA identified nine* cases where horses tested positive for bute. Seven were exported for the food chain.

Where the meat had been exported to other countries, the relevant food safety authorities were informed. The other two did not enter the food chain. None of the meat had been placed for sale on the UK market.

Horses that have been treated with the drug phenylbutazone or 'bute' are not allowed to enter the food chain. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) carries out checks in slaughterhouses to ensure that horses presented for slaughter are fit for human consumption, in the same way as they do for other animals, such as sheep and cattle. The FSA also carries out regular enhanced sampling and testing for phenylbutazone in meat from horses slaughtered in the UK.

During the recent horse meat incident, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland checked for the presence of phenylbutazone and the samples came back negative.

*This number has been corrected (increased from eight to nine) since this story was originally published, and the other numbers corrected accordingly.


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