About half the inmates in the Maze prison in Lisburn, Co Antrim, have expressed concern about eating beef. The British government has responded by giving them a wider choice.
Mince, burgers and roast beef are still being served but beef sausages have been banned. Before the BSE crisis, prisoners had a choice between one meat dish and a vegetarian alternative. They now have a choice of a second meat dish.
A Northern Ireland Office spokeswoman said that more than half the inmates in the Maze had informed the prison authorities that they did not want to eat beef.
Hospitals in the North are continuing to serve beef to patients.