British and European Union officials will tomorrow try to work out a plan to contain a scandal over horsemeat sold as beef which has shocked consumers and exposed flaws in European systems of food safety control.
The scandal, affecting a growing number of European countries and retailers, began in Ireland when its food safety authority discovered horsemeat in frozen beef burgers.
The revelations raised questions about the food supply chain and prompted governments to send out an EU-wide alert.
Owen Paterson, Britain's Environment Secretary, told the British parliament today he would meet EU officials in Brussels tomorrow to work out an action plan. The meeting will be chaired by Tonio Borg, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs.
"It is clear from my conversations with European ministers and Commissioner (Tonio) Borg that the European Commission recognises the urgency of the current incidents," Paterson said
The issue first came to light on Jan. 15 when during routine tests the Food Safety Authority in Ireland discovered horsemeat in frozen beef burgers produced by firms in Ireland and Britain and sold in supermarket chains including Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer.
It has caused particular anguish in Britain, where eating horse flesh in virtually taboo.
Concern grew last week when the British unit of frozen foods group Findus began recalling its beef lasagne on advice from its French supplier, Comigel, after tests showed concentrations of horsemeat in a range from 60 to 100 percent.
The European Commission said today that it is too early to require labelling on meat used in processed foods.
"It is premature to think about compulsory labelling of processed foods when it comes to the meat used," said Frederic Vincent, spokesman for Dr Borg.
"At present, the problem is ... one of fraud," Vincent said.
He insisted on the other hand that the current tracing regime for fresh meat was working.
The origin of fresh meat must be clearly marked since the Mad Cow Disease scandal in the 1980s and 1990s.
Processed foods are not covered, however, and only have to state the type of meat used -- beef, pork or poultry.
The European Commission is reviewing the situation, Vincent said, adding: "We are looking at whether (such labelling) is possible ... but nothing is fixed yet."
The EU says public health is not at stake but that the problem is instead one of misrepresentation and it is up to national regulators to take action.
Critics say the scandal does have implications for food safety as it shows that consumers cannot be certain that what they buy is exactly what it says on the box.
Additionally in Britain, among the worst hit, the authorities are worried that horse meat could contain traces of equine medicines such as phenylbutazone, used to control pain, which are unsuited for human consumption.
"At this state, that has not been found," said Vincent, insisting again that "it is not a health issue, it is a labelling problem."
Paterson has said Britain would consider import bans if any health risk was found, although officials have stressed the contaminated products posed no immediate danger to the public.