(UK) Police called in to investigate 'criminal' horsemeat scandal

Source: The Guardian

Scotland Yard has been asked by the food standards watchdog to investigate if there is a criminal element to the horsemeat scandal – as the food industry prepares to test every processed beef product line following evidence adulteration has spread from burgers to lasagne.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says information so far "points either to gross negligence or deliberate contamination in the food chain" and David Heath, the food and farming minister has said there is "every probability" criminality was involved.

The Met confirmed on Friday that it has met with the FSA. Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, is holding an emergency meeting with heads of meat retailers and suppliers in London on Saturday. "I fear it may be a conspiracy with international implications," he said.

Food businesses have been told to have test results on all their products with the FSA by next Friday but Paterson is expected to tell MPs in a statement on Monday that some suppliers have been complaining to departmental officials that they have come under pressure from supermarket suppliers to cut corners.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/feb/08/police-horsemeat-scandal