Nestle' withdraws mislabeled beef ravioli from Italy, Spain
Small amounts of horsemeat found, but says safety is not at risk
19 February, 18:30
(ANSA) - Rome, February 19 - Swiss food giant Nestle' on
Tuesday became the latest company touched by a Europe-wide food
scandal when it announced it would withdraw Buitoni-branded beef
ravioli from Spanish and Italian supermarkets after it
discovered small traces of horse DNA in the products.Nestle' reported the amount of horse DNA found in the products was 1% of the total and said "there are no problems of food safety." The company, based in Vevey, Switzerland, said it would replace the products with others which tests "confirm are 100% beef." The firm said it had blocked all deliveries from a German company, called H. J. Schypke, "which works with one of our suppliers." Nestle' - which produces baby food, snacks, prepared meals and pet food under brands including Gerber, Kitkat and Purina - on Tuesday said it was "strengthening quality controls with new tests." "Guaranteeing the quality and the safety of our products has always been a priority for Nestle'. We apologize to consumers," the company said in a statement.
The widening scandal - which has spread to Norway, Russia, Italy and Spain - began earlier this month when British food company Findus (no relation to Italy's Findus) began to recall prepared products, including lasagna, after discovering it was made with horse meat rather than beef as promised on the package.
That has led to a further recalls by various companies across Europe and raised concerns about how carefully the ingredients in prepared foods are actually tracked.
European authorities have been quick to say that the discovery that horse meat was substituted for beef in prepared foods is not a health-security issue but a matter of mislabelling.
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