top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Meat firm stored banned mutton

Vets discover 57 tonnes of illegal British meat in company’s freezers, raising new BSE scare in wake of horse scandal

VETS have discovered 57 tonnes of banned British mutton in the freezers of meat products firm Spanghero – and raised fears of a new BSE scare just weeks after the horse-meat scandal.

The mutton is banned because it is mechanically separated meat which can contain fragments of bone and bone marrow. It was banned for sheep, cattle and goats because of the risk of “prion” protein contamination – the cause of mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep.

Vets found the mutton at the Spanghero warehouses in Castelnaudary and confirmed the result of tests to prosecutors at Carcassonne and the public health department in Paris.

It is not yet known if any of the meat has been used in products sold to the public.

A fraud investigation will be started as the meat is said to have come from the same Dutch supplier as supplied Spanghero with 750 tonnes of horse meat.

Spanghero boss Barthélémy Aguerre told RTL this morning “once again we have been deceived by a supplier”. The company has launched a court action in Paris saying it had been defrauded.

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France