Horsemeat: Sodexo launches own investigation

27 February 2013

In its statement saying it was withdrawing frozen beef products from its UK catering operations with immediate effect, Sodexo announced it is launching its own investigation 'to understand how this regrettable situation arose'.

''To reassure our customers, Sodexo has decided to withdraw frozen beef products from its UK catering operations with immediate effect,'' said the company, which manages on-site catering and support services for clients in business, industry and education.

Sodexo said it has had a proactive programme in place to ensure there is no horsemeat in its supply chain. ''We demanded written assurances from across our supply chain that the products we purchase didn't contain horse meat, and additionally implemented an internal sampling programme.

''Despite repeated guarantees from our suppliers, our sampling has identified frozen beef products which tested positive for equine DNA. This situation is totally unacceptable.

''We felt the only appropriate response was to withdraw not only this product but all frozen beef products. We will only re-admit into our catering operations products that have affirmatively passed DNA testing, pursuant to laboratory test criteria.

''We have notified the FSA of our findings and will assist fully in its investigation. We have also launched our own investigation to understand how this regrettable situation arose.

''Food safety, traceability and quality remain the top priority for Sodexo and this is why we have taken these steps.''

Sodexo added that Tillery Valley Foods business which provides meals to the healthcare sector is not affected by the above.