PUB and hotel firm Whitbread has removed some lasagnes and burgers from its menus after traces of horse meat were found in the products.
The Beefeater Grill, Brewers Fayre and Premier Inn owner confirmed it had withdrawn a meat lasagne and beef burger products after both tested positively for equine DNA. The two were among 30 products it sent for testing.
In a statement, Whitbread said it takes the quality and standard of its food “extremely seriously” and will not replace the affected products until further testing has been undertaken and it is “fully reassured of the integrity” of its products. “We are shocked and disappointed at this failure of the processed meat supply chain,” said Whitbread.
The British Hospitality Association confirmed its members were testing minced beef products. “We acknowledge that the hospitality and catering industry must learn lessons along with the rest of the food industry,” said the BHA’s food adviser John Dyson.
