Fraud investigation over 'British beef' which came from abroad
Labour says there are "very serious questions to answer"
Last updated 10th Mar 2023
Investigations are looking into beef from South America and Europe being sold as British by a UK supermarket.
The National Food Crime Unit hasn't named the retailer - and says it's not a food safety issue - but a matter of food fraud.
The issue affects pre-packed sliced meat and deli products, which have been removed from sale - not minced beef, burgers or steak.
Labour says there are "very serious questions to answer" about how a UK supermarket has become involved in a beef fraud investigation
Andrew Quinn, Deputy Head of the National Food Crime Unit at the Food Standards Agency said: “The unit is investigating how one UK retailer was supplied with pre-packed sliced meat and deli products labelled as British when they were in fact sourced from South America and Europe.
"The retailer was notified on the same day that we took action against the food business suspected of the fraud and immediately removed all affected products from their shelves.
"The retailer continues to work closely and cooperatively with the National Food Crime Unit investigation to progress the case against the supplier. This is not a food safety issue but a matter of food fraud.
"Any fraud investigations of this nature take time to go through evidence and bring to any outcome, including any potential prosecution. We take food fraud very seriously and are acting urgently to protect the consumer.”
Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon said in response: "We were told the lessons of the horsemeat scandal had been learnt, but unfortunately this investigation could cast that into doubt.
"There are clearly very serious questions to answer and it's right that an urgent investigation is currently under way."
The investigation involves the review of about 1.3 million documents with products being sold to customers as "best British beef", Farmers Weekly reported.
National Farmers' Union President Minette Batters said: “Food security isn’t just about supply and availability. It also means ensuring our food is fully traceable, safe to eat, and that it adheres to our high animal welfare and environmental standards.
“We cannot speculate about an ongoing investigation, but it is clear to me that if we want to boost all elements of our food security, everything points to doing all we can to support domestic food production.”