Horse meat scare leads to beef products being withdrawn at Stroud High School (From Stroud News and Journal)

Horse meat scare leads to beef products being withdrawn at Stroud High School

9:42am Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Hayley Mortimer, Reporter

BEEF products have been withdrawn from Stroud High School by catering firm Sodexo after horse was found in a batch of meat.

Sodexo, which has been contracted to supply the school's meal service for at least six years, withdrew all its frozen beef products as a precaution after horse DNA was found in some of its lines.

Stroud High School has now contacted parents to express the headteacher’s disappointment.

A statement from Sodexo said: "Despite repeated guarantees from our suppliers, our sampling has identified frozen beef products which tested positive for equine DNA. This situation is totally unacceptable.

"We felt the only appropriate response was to withdraw not only this product but all frozen beef products.

"We have notified the FSA of our findings and will assist fully in its investigation.

"We have also launched our own investigation to understand how this regrettable situation arose. Food safety, traceability and quality remain the top priority for Sodexo and this is why we have taken these steps."

More to follow.