Burger King is latest retailer affected by horsemeat scandal

Burger King has terminated its contract with a former supplier that was linked with the horsemeat scandal.

The fast-food chain investigated former supplier Silvercrest Foods after they were notified that they were under investigation for potential contamination of some retail products.

Burger King has used suppliers in Germany and Italy for UK and Ireland restaurants as a precaution since 23^rd January, with these companies providing DNA evidence to confirm their products are free of equine DNA.

The company carried out independent tests on products taken from their restaurants with results showing they were negative for any equine DNA. Four samples recently taken from the Silvercrest plant show the presence of very small trace levels of equine DNA; this product was never sold to Burger King.

The company established that a small percentage of beef imported from a supplier in Poland to Silvercrest was not 100% British & Irish beef patties, which the company agreed, so it has terminated its contract with Silvercrest.

Diego Beamonte, Vice President, Global Quality, Burger King Corporation said: “While the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has stated that this is not a food safety issue, we are deeply troubled by the findings of our investigation and apologise to our guests, who trust us to source only the highest quality 100% beef burgers. Our supplier has failed us and in turn we have failed you. We are committed to ensuring that this does not happen again.

“We will dedicate ourselves to determining what lessons can be learned and what additional measures, including DNA testing and enhanced traceability controls, can be taken to ensure that we continue to provide you with the quality products you expect from us.”

Daniel Cotter