ALDI caught selling horsemeat by Irish government; says it demands 'highest standards' from vendors; product from Oakhurst burgers supplier up to 29% horsemeat

Newark, Ohio Aldi store. Photo: Brandon King, Flickr

The Republic of Ireland's food safety authority (FSAI) inspected meat from two processing plants in Ireland, Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods, and the Dalepak Hambleton plant in Yorkshire and found that some of the burger products had up to 29% horsemeat (found in a product packaged for sale at Tesco.) Aldi stores used the same supplier/s. The company's response:

Aldi said only one of its products - which is only on sale in the Republic of Ireland - was affected.
     In a statement, Aldi Stores (Ireland) said: "Following notification this afternoon from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) of an issue in relation to our Oakhurst Beef Burgers (8 pack) we have immediately removed the product from sale and have launched an investigation into the matter."
     The company said it "takes the quality of all its products extremely seriously and demands the highest standards from its suppliers".