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Beefing up chicken labelling is not the answer
May 23, 2003 12:00 AM
London Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford is calling on the European Commission to outlaw the practice by large food processors, highlighted on BBC TV's Panorama programme, of adulterating chicken with protein derived from pork and beef so it holds more water and thereby boosts profit. She said:
"The addition of proteins derived from beef and pork waste to cheap chicken is a disgusting process and a fraud on consumers. I am outraged that the only reaction of our own Food Standards Agency and the European Commission is 'more labelling'. In fact most of the adulterated meat is sold to the catering industry, so the consumer never sees the label."
"As a Liberal, I am generally in favour of better information so consumers are empowered to choose, but this practice is so scandalous that it merits a ban. In particular, those who for dietary or religious reasons need to avoid beef or pork are entitled to be protected from this scam."
"The basic selling point of the EU must be that it increases security, including of consumers. A limp reaction can only stoke the fires of those quick to dismiss Eurocrats as a waste of space."
In recent tests, of 130 samples in total, 65 claimed to have more meat than was the case, 20 contained pork DNA, seven contained beef DNA and four contained both pork and beef DNA.
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