Tesco's Horsemeat scandal
Introduction
In the late 2012 and early 2013, Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)1 announced that several beef products sold in the UK and Ireland supermarkets contained horsemeat. In January 2013, British media reported traces of horse DNA in meat products sold by Tesco2. Some other retailers and suppliers found to be involved in the horsemeat scandal are some big names including Iceland, Lidl, Dunnes Stores, ASDA, Aldi etc. Later, it was discovered the beef products containing horsemeat were not only being sold in UK and Ireland, but all over the Europe and after investigation the suspected beef products are withdrawn from the market. The following will be focusing on recent case study, Tesco’s horsemeat scandal.
Tesco’s horsemeat scandal chronology
After the announcement of the FSAI identified traces of horsemeat in Tesco beef burgers products, Tesco made a public apology through newspaper advert after discovering its beef burger brand contained 29% of horsemeat. Tesco then underwent its own internal investigation and clarified its action plans by delisted its supplier Silvercrest Foods (SF)3 due to horsemeat controversy. Its share price plummeted and wipes off £300m of its market value after tests carried out by FSAI identified traces of horsemeat in its food products. Upon investigation by FSAI a range of Tesco spaghetti Bolognese ready meal product was found contained more than 60% horsemeat, and its Findus beef lasagne was being concerned about. As a result, frozen lasagne and spaghetti meals supplied by French food supplier, Comigel4 and Swedish supplier Fndus were withdrawn in the early February. However, Tesco is the latest firm to drop a major supplier.
On 27th February, Tesco chief executive, Philip Clarke has assured to lead a transformation in the food industry and to increase the amount of British meat the retailer sells.5 Tesco made second public apology after discovering up to 5% horsemeat in the meatloaf product, manufactured in
In the late 2012 and early 2013, Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)1 announced that several beef products sold in the UK and Ireland supermarkets contained horsemeat. In January 2013, British media reported traces of horse DNA in meat products sold by Tesco2. Some other retailers and suppliers found to be involved in the horsemeat scandal are some big names including Iceland, Lidl, Dunnes Stores, ASDA, Aldi etc. Later, it was discovered the beef products containing horsemeat were not only being sold in UK and Ireland, but all over the Europe and after investigation the suspected beef products are withdrawn from the market. The following will be focusing on recent case study, Tesco’s horsemeat scandal.
Tesco’s horsemeat scandal chronology
After the announcement of the FSAI identified traces of horsemeat in Tesco beef burgers products, Tesco made a public apology through newspaper advert after discovering its beef burger brand contained 29% of horsemeat. Tesco then underwent its own internal investigation and clarified its action plans by delisted its supplier Silvercrest Foods (SF)3 due to horsemeat controversy. Its share price plummeted and wipes off £300m of its market value after tests carried out by FSAI identified traces of horsemeat in its food products. Upon investigation by FSAI a range of Tesco spaghetti Bolognese ready meal product was found contained more than 60% horsemeat, and its Findus beef lasagne was being concerned about. As a result, frozen lasagne and spaghetti meals supplied by French food supplier, Comigel4 and Swedish supplier Fndus were withdrawn in the early February. However, Tesco is the latest firm to drop a major supplier.
On 27th February, Tesco chief executive, Philip Clarke has assured to lead a transformation in the food industry and to increase the amount of British meat the retailer sells.5 Tesco made second public apology after discovering up to 5% horsemeat in the meatloaf product, manufactured in
Bibliography: 1. Derry v Peek (1889) LR 14 App Cas 337 2 11. BBC News, 10 April 2013: ‘Q&A: Horsemeat scandal’, Available at:: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21335872 (Accessed: 1 Nov 2013)