Minister praises Tesco’s reaction to horse meat storm

Tesco has won praise from the Government and MPs after announcing it will step up its food tracing procedures in the wake of the discovery of horse meat in beef burgers.

Environment minister David Heath said he “welcomed” the supermarket’s announcement, which also won praise from shadow minister Huw Irranca-Davies.

The horse meat scandal was sparked by the discovery in Ireland of beef burgers supplied to Irish and British stores which contained horse and pig meat in one case up to 29%.

Some 10 million burgers were taken off the shelves of several supermarkets, including Lidl, Aldi and Iceland in the wake of a national outcry.

Tesco said it had dropped a supplier following a “breach of trust” and pledged to introduce its own system of DNA testing on meat products to ensure quality.

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Heath said: “I welcome (Tesco’s announcement). The requirement is on those who sell goods to know where they come from and that they conform with the label.”