Birds Eye withdraws beef ready meals

Frozen foods maker Birds Eye has withdraw three beef ready meals from sale in Ireland and the UK as a precaution after horse DNA was found in a product sold by the firm in Belgium.

Birds Eye has been carrying out DNA tests on products since the horse meat scandal broke and has found a chilli con carne dish made with 2 per cent horse DNA

The meal was made by Frigilunch NV in the Netherlands, a company which also supplies Birds Eye with a spaghetti bolognese, shepherd’s pie and a lasagne ready meal which are sold in this State.

Birds Eye insisted there was no risk to the public and said the three were being withdrawn “as a precautionary measure”.

A statement from Iglo Foods Group, parent company of Birds Eye, said the presence of horse meat in their products was “not a food safety issue”, but was “clearly unacceptable”.

Investigations

“The withdrawn products will not be replaced on supermarkets shelves until we have finished our investigations and have complete confidence in this supplier,” it said.

Birds Eye said its beef burgers, beef pies and beef platters had also been tested, but the tests were negative for horse DNA.

“We know that our consumers rely on us to be certain that they are eating only what is labelled on the packaging and that they can always rely on us to act responsibly,” said Birds Eye.

Helpline: Customers who bought any of the withdrawn products can apply for a refund by calling 1850-298 398.