No traces of horse DNA were found in samples of beef burgers taken from Liffey Meats last week, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said last night.
The tests were carried out by his department after an investigation by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland found traces of horse DNA of less than 0.1 per cent in three samples of burgers produced by the plant in Co Cavan late last year.
Mr Coveney described the latest results as “very positive news”. IFA president John Bryan said it was a very welcome development in the Department of Agriculture’s investigation and would provide the necessary reassurance to consumers.
The Food Safety Authority study had also found that the ABP-owned Silvercrest Foods plant in Ballybay, Co Monaghan had produced a burger for Tesco’s Everyday Value range with 29 per cent horse DNA, relative to beef content.