Findus beef meals made from horsemeat

Beef Lasagne made from horsemeat is the latest product to expose what is rapidly becoming a major food scandal.

Findus recalled the ready meal on the advice of its French supplier Comigel. The UK-based food group has now apologised.

The Food Standards Agency is investigating - Andrew Rhodes is its Director of Operations.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDREW RHODES, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY, SAYING:

"So far our tests have not indicated any food safety risks. However, there are additional tests that we've instructed Findus to carry out to rule out any safety risks in the product they have notified us about."

The withdrawal is the latest in a string of similar incidents in recent weeks.

Beef products sold at fast food chain Burger King, Tesco and Aldi also contained horsemeat.

And suppliers in Poland and Ireland have been linked to the row.

There is also a theoretical health risk.

Horsemeat is not harmful but an anti-inflammatory drug given to horses may be.

Robin Hargreaves is a vet.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROBIN HARGREAVES, VET, SAYING:

"It's never supposed to get into the human food chain. If a horse is treated with Phenylbutazone, its passport is altered and it can never be used for human consumption."

Further tests for the drug are now being carried out and Findus has promised to refund all customers who purchased the meal.

It says all its other products have been tested and are not affected.

But anger in the UK is growing as questions are asked about the integrity of the food supply.