Issues Involving Horse Meat
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland tested a range of beef-burgers and ready meals from supermarkets in November 2012, for the presence of DNA from other species. The DNA of horses were found in over one/third of the burgers and 85% of them had a presence of pig DNA. There were never any tests done for horse meat in beef products before there wasn’t an expectation of it being in beef. After retesting for a few months, the findings were finalized on January 15, 2013. After the Irish reported their findings on the horse meat, the UK FSA wanted all beef products to be tested for horse. After these tests, horse was found in lasagna and spaghetti. One French manufacturer, Comigel, had up to 100% horse in their beef. …show more content…
In Europe, the meat industry reported having full traceability of its supply chain; this scandal says otherwise. The price of beef had an adverse effect on the chances of finding horsemeat. As beef prices began to rise, customers began spending less on their food, putting manufacturers’ in an unwanted situation. The cost of real beef is too much for what companies are willing to pay, so they use meat from other animals, including horses.
Why it is an Ethical Dilemma
Having horsemeat in what should be beef is an ethical dilemma. Although some meats specified as “beef” do not necessarily have to contain 100% beef, horse meat was an unknown substance that was never thought of to be found in products labeled as beef. The passing of horsemeat as beef is taking advantage of the supply chains the meat comes from. Some authorities had to be aware that horse meat was being labeled as beef and didn’t mind because it was cost-effective for companies.
This also was unethical because this directly affects the public. Many meat eaters in the United Kingdom were not happy about the findings, since horsemeat is considered taboo. When the findings of horsemeat and pigs were discovered in certain beefs, it raised a concern for many Jews and Muslims. Horsemeat is also banned in Jewish dietary
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland tested a range of beef-burgers and ready meals from supermarkets in November 2012, for the presence of DNA from other species. The DNA of horses were found in over one/third of the burgers and 85% of them had a presence of pig DNA. There were never any tests done for horse meat in beef products before there wasn’t an expectation of it being in beef. After retesting for a few months, the findings were finalized on January 15, 2013. After the Irish reported their findings on the horse meat, the UK FSA wanted all beef products to be tested for horse. After these tests, horse was found in lasagna and spaghetti. One French manufacturer, Comigel, had up to 100% horse in their beef. …show more content…
In Europe, the meat industry reported having full traceability of its supply chain; this scandal says otherwise. The price of beef had an adverse effect on the chances of finding horsemeat. As beef prices began to rise, customers began spending less on their food, putting manufacturers’ in an unwanted situation. The cost of real beef is too much for what companies are willing to pay, so they use meat from other animals, including horses.
Why it is an Ethical Dilemma
Having horsemeat in what should be beef is an ethical dilemma. Although some meats specified as “beef” do not necessarily have to contain 100% beef, horse meat was an unknown substance that was never thought of to be found in products labeled as beef. The passing of horsemeat as beef is taking advantage of the supply chains the meat comes from. Some authorities had to be aware that horse meat was being labeled as beef and didn’t mind because it was cost-effective for companies.
This also was unethical because this directly affects the public. Many meat eaters in the United Kingdom were not happy about the findings, since horsemeat is considered taboo. When the findings of horsemeat and pigs were discovered in certain beefs, it raised a concern for many Jews and Muslims. Horsemeat is also banned in Jewish dietary