Meat products misleadingly labelled

A THIRD of meat products sold in supermarkets and shops were misleadingly labelled, a new survey has revealed.

The food, which included mince, sausages and samosas, often illegally contained meats other than those the buyer would be expecting them to contain.

This could have serious consequences for people trying to avoid some meats for dietary or religious reasons.
Now Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards has issued guidance to businesses telling them how to stay within the law or face a fine of up to £20,000.

Trading Standards Offices from throughout the West Midlands purchased over 100 samples of meat products.

The samples were analysed by Public Analyst laboratories including Staffordshire Scientific Services, who checked that the species of meat named on the label was the only type of meat present.

The analysis showed that 38 of the 109 samples were adulterated.

Minced lamb was the most likely to be contaminated, with two thirds of the samples containing beef and or pork.

Seven samples described as "Halal" were purchased as part of the survey.

These were found to be just as likely to be contaminated as any other meat products, although no Halal products were found to contain pork.

Staffordshire County Councillor Carol Dean said: "Customers buying food rely on the labels and descriptions of the food made by the business.

"An accurate description of the type of meat in a meat product provides information, allowing customers to choose which product to purchase.

"This is particularly important for customers who wish to avoid particular species of meat due to religious or dietary reasons.

"Trading Standards are keen to work with businesses to ensure that food is correctly described.

"The guidance leaflet explains three simple steps which butchers should be taking to ensure that meat products contain only the types of meat stated on the label."