German food circulation supervisory institution has found horse meat in canned beef produced by Latvian Kuršu zeme, according to a statement from the European Commission’s (EC) early warning system.

According to information from the Food and Veterinary Service (FVS), SIA Kuršu zeme is not on the list of companies to which Latvian slaughterhouses have been supplying with horse meat. Inspections are currently continuing nonetheless.

As reported, some slaughterhouses recently inspected by FVS had not provided horse meat traceability. On Thursday, February 28, the FVS will carry out an inspection at the aforementioned company in order to determine the source of horse meat found in canned products and why this information was not stated on the product’s label.

BNN previously reported that FVS had recently noted suspicious activities with horse meat at SIA Forevers.

More than half of the 416 horses slaughtered in Latvia in 2012 were put down at SIA AIBI slaughterhouse. Most of them were supplied to a meat processing company Forevers, as reported by FVS.

Inspection at both companies are continuing. However, current information suggests that in nearly all cases horse meat supplied by SIA AIBI to Forevers as bovine meat.

SIA Forevers products had no mentioning of horse meat on their labels. On Wednesday, February 27, FVS received information that German experts found horse meat in the products of SIA Forevers. Laboratory conclusions are expected to be received in the nearest future.

FVS found violations at three other slaughterhouses – SIA Vilumene, Kalnpierbes and SIA Musino, which cannot provide the origin of horse meat.

The FVS has initiated administrative proceedings in relation to all uncovered violations. The compiled information will then be sent to law enforcement institutions and the State Revenue Service.

There are 82 slaughterhouses in Latvia. There were 90 096 cows, 406 423 pigs and 416 horses put down last year. It is allowed to put down horses at 15 slaughterhouses.

As it is known, the European Commission has issued an order to all food circulation monitoring institutions of all EU member states to perform DNA tests of all bovine meat containing products in order to make sure horse meat is not being used instead of bovine meat.

Ref: 102.109.109.6317