Burger King Admits to Horse Meat in U.K. Burgers

The restaurant blames Irish supplier Silvercrest for the contamination.

The biggest food scandal since mad cow disease in the 1990s is the horsemeat controversy. Mid-January brought news from Irish food safety officials that 23 out of 27 beef burgers sampled were found to contain pig DNA, and 10 contained horse DNA. Burger King initially discounting any connection to the scandal but later, after conducting its own investigation, admitted in a statement that it was affected. Most of the adulterated beef was traced back to a single Irish supplier, Silvercrest.

Horsemeat actually contains just as much protein and far less fat than beef, according to nutritionists. France and other parts of Europe commonly eat horsemeat—in the U.S. and United Kingdom, not so much. Particularly since horses are commonly seen as companions rather than culinary additions, many customers found the actions repulsive. Burger King has since transitioned from Silvercrest to suppliers in Germany and Italy. (NPR)

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]