After receiving information about the recent scandal with consumer deception in several European countries, the Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) had begun carrying out inspections in Latvia as well. Several slaughter houses and one meat processing company are suspected of performing suspicious activities with horse meat.

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 Musina, 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.

In accordance with the guidelines of EC, the FVS will be taking 50 samples for DNA tests. It is also planned to take samples to see if the horse meat contains traces of phenylbutazone. Last year, FVS’s tests for this substance showed nothing.

If produced at a legal slaughterhouse and properly inspected, horse meat poses no threat to consumers’ health. Nevertheless, it is the obligation of the producers to state its use on the labels of their products.

Ref: 102.109.109.6301