An equine drug that can harm humans has been found in horse carcasses exported from Britain to France and may have entered the human food chain, British agriculture minister David Heath said on Thursday.
But the drug phenylbutazone was not found in tests on products made by Findus, the frozen food giant embroiled in a Europe-wide horsemeat scandal, Heath told parliament.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) tested the carcasses of 206 horses slaughtered in Britain for traces of the painkiller, also known as “bute”, which in rare cases can cause a serious blood disorder in humans.
“Eight have come back positive. Three may have entered the food chain in France. The remaining five have not gone into the food chain,” Heath said.
“FSA are working with French authorities in an attempt to recall the meat from the food chain.”
He added: “The results of bute testing in withdrawn Findus food products have come back negative.”
However, the FSA gave a higher number, saying six horse carcasses were sent to France “and may have entered the food chain”.
