Sir, – There has been a considerable consternation in the media on the presence of “trace amounts of DNA” from pigs and horses in Irish beef burgers. But what do trace amounts actually mean? Is it, for example, one molecule of pig DNA for every 99 molecules of beef DNA, ie 1 per cent? If so, one might be concerned about this level of contamination in relation to product quality. Or is it just one molecule in a 100,000 or more? Arguably hardly worth fretting about!
The laboratory tests used to detect DNA contamination are forensically sensitive, so I am sure the numerate people of Ireland would appreciate if the Food Safety Authority and the press could put a specific figure on what the trace amounts actually mean. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I am outraged to learn that it is now proposed to destroy up to 10 million frozen burgers because of their supposed “contamination” with horsemeat.
Whatever about the issue of misdescription of goods, which should certainly be pursued, there is no question of there being any danger in the consumption of these burgers. Horsemeat is, if anything, rather better for you than beef, as being somewhat leaner.
This is “political correctness” gone mad. Why not simply relabel the burgers as horse-burgers, and give them to the poor? I would queue up for them myself, having enjoyed the occasional horse steak in the past. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – In the bleak mid winter of Troikaland, is there not something reassuringly familiar about Horsegate? Processing plants with a wide interpretation of “beef” and an inclusive understanding of Irishness, a broadminded food labelling regime that seems able to accommodate such beliefs and a kindly old Department of Agriculture not rushing to hasty judgments?
It’s only a pity the Christmas panto season is over. Imagine all the fun the children could have had with the pantomime cow-horse, the riddles about European horses that went off to Ireland and were turned into cows, not to mention the choruses of “Oh yes it’s beef, oh no it’s horse”; and “Oh yes it’s Irish, oh no it’s not”.
Personally, I cannot wait for the horse beef tribunal to get going. With repeats of Scrap Saturday to listen to, it will soon be like old times! – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Surely this is a matter for trading standards not food safety. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – “Our burgers don’t stop at beef . . .” I spotted this sign over Wrights at the Food Hall at Terminal 2, Dublin Airport today.
Its staff could not understand why it made me laugh. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – In future, all packets of “beef” burgers which contain a percentage of horse meat should carry this mandatory piece of information: “Best before 2.30 at Leopardstown”. – Yours, etc,