Greencore investigation clears ABP Nenagh

Larry Goodman's ABP Nenagh plant has been cleared as the source of horsemeat by Greencore's investigation
Larry Goodman's ABP Nenagh plant has been cleared as the source of horsemeat by Greencore's investigation

ABP Ireland has said its Nenagh plant was "very disappointed to be associated" with the traces of horsemeat found in Greencore's Bolognese product but "is pleased that the matter has now been brought to a conclusion."

Print

PrintPrint
News

4 March 2013

Share this post:
 

advertisement



 

Food group Greencore’s investigation into the test results of a Bolognese Sauce product two weeks ago has found ABP Nenagh was not the source of the contamination.

ABP Food Group Ireland welcomed the findings on tests of Asda’s Chosen By You 350g Beef Bolognese Sauce, which is manufactured at Greencore’s Bristol facility, and said that its own extensive testing programme revealed negative results for horse DNA.

ABP said its own investigation included an extensive testing programme for all raw materials used in the batch in question. This involved the analysis of samples of over 720 cartons of beef (approx. 18,000 kg of product).

The tests were "conducted under a stringent protocol with independent supervision and control," according to ABP. They were then validated using three different laboratories in Ireland and Germany, and all the samples tested negative for equine DNA.

ABP Ireland said the group was "very disappointed to be associated with this incident, but is pleased that the matter has now been brought to a conclusion."

Greencore confirmed in a statement earlier today, that multiple further tests for the presence of horse DNA on the same batch of the same Bolognese product using both screening and quantitative tests (in line with FSA testing protocols) at two different, independent accredited laboratories have all produced negative results.

According to Greencore, Asda has confirmed to the supplier that it is reassured by the outcomes of the testing programme and by the implications for its supply chain.

Greencore also reported that an extensive programme of testing of other finished product and raw material at the Bristol facility has produced negative results for the presence of horse DNA. With regards to its audit of ABP’s Nenagh plant which supplied the meat used in the Bolognese sauce, Greencore said: "This investigation has found no evidence of contamination in the supply chain."

As announced on 18 February, Greencore has now implemented additional species screening procedures throughout its supply chain for beef-related ingredients going into all Greencore facilities.

The group is "continuing to work with all customers and suppliers to complete the current intensive phase of testing as soon as possible and to validate and reinforce the supply chain." 

 

advertisement



 
Share this post:



Back to Top ↑

Shelflife Magazine