Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

560. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to topical issue of 16 January 2013, if he will provide an update on the inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2952/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The findings of laboratory tests, provided by the FSAI to my Department on 14th January 2013, revealed the presence of non beef DNA in some beef products produced in Ireland. This generally involved trace or minute amounts of porcine or equine DNA with the exception of one burger in respect of which a high level of equine DNA (29% of meat content) was indicated. While the FSAI has given assurances that no food safety issues arise in this instance there are clearly very significant issues in respect of confidence in the quality of the products concerned and these are being addressed in the Department's investigation. Affected product has been withdrawn from the markets by the food business operators involved.

Further preliminary results relating to samples taken by the Department on Tuesday 15^th January, from product manufactured in Silvercrest Foods in the period 3^rd to 14^th January, were published on Thursday 17^th January. These tests indicate the presence of equine DNA in samples of burgers, which were already withdrawn by the company concerned from the market. Samples of raw ingredients were also tested. Thirteen samples of finished burgers were tested for the presence of equine DNA. Nine tested positive for traces of equine DNA and four tested negative. Seven samples of raw ingredients were tested, one of which, sourced from another Member State, tested positive. Samples of ingredients in burgers sourced from Irish suppliers tested negative for equine DNA. My Department informed the company of these further laboratory test results and the company has suspended all production at the plant until it completes its investigation. These results were fully assessed jointly by Department officials and the FSAI; and arrangements have been made to have the positive samples further analysed with a view to quantifying the percentage of non beef DNA present.

The latest results from tests on burgers from Liffey Meats Ltd., published on 21^st January, have shown that there was no presence of horse DNA in the product, which was manufactured between January 10^th and January 16^th. These results are welcome and support the company's claims that it has addressed concerns raised by the FSAI survey findings. Primary responsibility for both the safety and quality of food placed on the market place lies with food business operators. This is subject to a series of official controls to verify compliance by the food business operators with their food safety management system - these controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. The Department has permanent veterinary presence at all its export approved slaughtering plants. Controls at standalone processing plants are based on audits and inspections carried out by DAFM staff, based on risk assessment. In addition under the Department's National Residue Programme, some 30,000 samples taken at farm and factory level and covering a wide range of food stuffs are tested annually. These tests normally relate to microbiological and chemical standards, focused on food safety and in accordance with EU testing requirements. DNA testing is not required under EU legislation and is not generally in use in relation to food production and safety. It has however been deployed in recent times as part of the FSAI's food fraud control activities and these results arose from that control programme.

Intensive investigations are continuing with a view to identifying the source of the equine DNA in the Silvercrest Foods processing facility. This includes further analysis of a range of samples from both burgers and ingredients. Detailed analysis of records held by the company relating to the sourcing of ingredients and the incorporation of these ingredients is also being conducted.