France Link

Horsemeat scandal: France summons meat industry chiefs

Producers, food processors, distributers, supermarkets and representatives from the food industry meet to discuss growing scandal.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

French ministers hold talks with key players in the meat industry as the horsemeat scandal widens to up to 16 countries, reports the BBC.

Seven French supermarket chains have withdrawn frozen beef meals made by Findus and Comigel.

The move followed the discovery that foods sold in Europe and the UK labelled as beef contained horsemeat.

The scandal has raised questions about the complexity of the food industry's supply chains across the EU.

It has already had an impact on distributors in the UK, France, Sweden, Ireland and Romania.

Food products in a further 11 EU countries may be affected, it is feared.

Food Minister Guillaume Garot said he wanted to ensure that all contentious products had been removed.

Romania is investigating claims one of its abattoirs is responsible.

In the UK, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is to update MPs on the latest developments in the scandal.

Read more of this report from the BBC.