Unscrupulous chicken suppliers slammed by FSA

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Unscrupulous meat suppliers have been slammed for bad practice after a survey found pork and beef protein in imported chicken destined for pubs and...

Unscrupulous meat suppliers have been slammed for bad practice after a survey found pork and beef protein in imported chicken destined for pubs and restaurants.

More than half the samples surveyed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) were found to have a higher meat content than they claimed and more than a third of the samples claimed to have at least 10 per cent more meat than was actually present.

Almost half the samples contained DNA from pigs and all but one were labelled Halal - lawful food for Muslims whose religious beliefs prevent them from eating pork. One sample was found to contain pork and beef DNA.

All the samples tested were from wholesalers supplying caterers and were destined for use in pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

"We know that in some cases consumers are not always getting what they pay for and the FSA is determined to stamp this out," said David Statham, the FSA's director of enforcement.

"What is even more unacceptable is the total disregard as to how offensive this is to Muslims who may be eating food which is forbidden by their religious beliefs."

Most of the chicken surveyed was manufactured in the Netherlands, some in Belgium and some in the UK. Details of the survey have been passed to the FSA's counterparts abroad so they can take action.

During processing ingredients including water and protein, usually made from chicken or other animal skins, can be added. This is to bulk-up the chicken and make it look larger than it really is.

Adding the ingredients is legal, but the chicken must be clearly labelled so customers, who include many publicans from across the UK, know exactly what they are buying.

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