First it was burgers. Now it's lasagne. I say "neigh"

[Harters]

I wasnt altogether surprised to hear that some "value" burgers contained unadvertised horsemeat. That's what you get for buying "value" crap.

But I am suprised that Findus lasagne has been found to have between 60% and 100% horsemeat. And that the Food Standard Agency is advisign folk not to eat them.

Seeing as these lasagne have been made in France, where they understand the eating of horsemeat and regard it as a premium product, you have to wonder how it's got into a bottom end frozen British lasagne.

[sunshine842]

based on the quotes I'm seeing in the French press, Findus was pretty surprised to find their food was 60-100% horsemeat, too....

They're shouting criminal investigations and criminal penalties when they get to the end of the very long distribution chain.

It's really bizarre, because horsemeat is more expensive than beef in France...and yes, I realize that the horsemeat seems (at this point) to be coming from Romania.

[Harters]

Today's Guardian notes that an anagram of "Findus lasagne" is "Fed us slain nag".

And a joke doing the rounds suggests that China has jumped on the Tesco burger bandwagon. They're now selling quarter-pandas

[Veggo]

I was always told not to look a gift lasagna in the mouth.

[Robin Joy]

Does a horse cost less than a cow? If not then why bother?

[Harters]

It's being heavily trawled now that this is a criminal act. Assuming that's true, then it is probable that it is dodgy horsemeat, rather than a reputable supply and, hence, cheap.

[J Sheridan]

According to Radio 4's Food Programme, you could pick up an unwanted nag in Ireland for 10 euros and sell it for slaughter for (I think) 50. It was picked up by the Irish RSPCA who found fieldsful of maltreated/underfed horses and then discovered they were off to the abattoir.

I'm with Harters: make your own. Though what's in Sainsbury's mince ...?

[Robin Joy]

An unwanted Irish nag or two I could understand. But this seems to have been on an industrial scale. Hundreds and hundreds of horses, probably for years, with many many people in the know. There must be grillions of cheaper puffed out old milkers around Europe.

Hey, I have no knowledge of rural economics, so what do I know? Just curious.

[Frizzle]

'And that the Food Standard Agency is advisign folk not to eat them.'

Why are they saying not to eat the food? Are they implying it's unsafe?

[Harters]

Yes. They are implying that it's unsafe.

Horsemeat intended for human consumption, as permitted in a number of countries, is one thing. However, there is a worry that this probable illegal act may have used horses which had been treated with medications that should not be allowed into the human food chain.

[Frizzle]

Ah. That makes sense now. It is a criminal act then with serious public health implications. It reminds me of the milk scandal from China a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if it was big news in the west.

[Harters]

The government is now managing to face two ways (no surprises there, then) saying on the one hand that processed beef products are safe to eat, yet also saying there may be more bad news when product tests are received later in the week. I start from the premise that politicians are lying shits who can't generally be trusted to operate a social event in a beer making facility.

[Robin Joy]

Is the issue that horses may have been dosed with medicines which should not be consumed by humans? I doubt if the Romanian nags which seem to be the source of this meat have ever been seen by a vet!

[Harters]

Robin - yes, in so far as I understand the news reports.

Whilst the abattoir is Romanian, your guess is as good as mine where the nags may have actually come from.

The food chain appears to be that the French owned Findus, contracts with another French company to make the lasagne. That company sub-contracts to a subsidiary in Luxembourg. Sub-contractor sources its meat through a Cypriot company which orders it from Romania.

Beats me why folk who want to eat lasagne can't go down their local Sainsbury and buy a pound of mince and a pack of lasagne sheets - like wot I do.

[zuriga1]

I hope it doesn't become a stable part of our diet. The trouble with horsemeat is that you can get bits stuck in your teeth.

Credit to DH for those. I'm not that clever.

[Robin Joy]

It's low in fat, but too much Shergar.

[Veggo]

Be wary of any food combo advertised as a "quinella" or "trifecta".

[DavidT]

Any news on the Lasagne Bolognese from LIDL? I believe that is also made in France (and is pretty tasty!).

[Harters]

As far as I can see, Lidl has so far only coughed to horsemeat in the burgers.

[mr_gimlet]

Would that be My Lidl Pony?

[Theresa]

Arf arf :o)

[Harters]

I laffed myself "horse".

[sunshine842]

oh, you sick bastard. But I LOLd.