Horsemeat scandal: mid-Wales catering firm which supplies pubs finds traces in its burgers

Traces of horsemeat have been found in some beef burger products from mid-Wales catering supplier Burger Manufacturing Company (BMC), which supplies the pub and restaurant sector.

Tests carried out by Powys County Council, on the request of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), have show that three samples of beef burger products made by BMC, which is based in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, tested positive for at least 1% horse meat.

The FSA said: “Further work is being carried out to establish exactly how much horse meat these products contain and to test for the presence of the veterinary medicine phenylbutazone, or bute.

“In line with good practice, BMC is withdrawing these products. The company is also contacting its customers to inform them of the results of these tests and to withdraw any of the affected products that they may have.”

On its website, BMC said it’s “a major supplier to the fast food market”. “We also supply all conceivable types of café, restaurant, hotel and leisure outlet with a huge selection of steak burgers.”