Probe into meat ‘falsely labelled’ as British at supermarkets

A criminal investigation is underway into allegations that a rogue meat supplier mislabeled large quantities of foreign pork as British.

The Food Standards Agency is also investigating claims that the company also mixed spoiled pork with fresh meat.

It’s understood the meat could have ended up in many UK supermarkets.

Farmers Weekly, which first reported the story, said the company is passing off industrial-scale quantities of foreign pork as British.

It said this may have been in products until at least 2020 and could be in many items such as ready meals, quiches and sandwiches sold in a number of UK supermarkets, with schools, hospitals, care homes and prisons also being indirectly supplied.

The Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) is understood to have launched its initial investigation into the company in September 2021.

Andrew Quinn, deputy head of the Food Standards Agency’s NFCU, said the unit was “conducting a criminal investigation into how a supplier allegedly supplied products labeled as British when in fact they were sourced from South America and Europe”.

“The original retailer was notified at the same time that the NFCU was taking action against the suspected fraud food company,” he added.

“We are reviewing all new lines of investigation with our partner organisations, including potential food hygiene violations, and taking action where necessary to protect public health.

“At a time when cost pressures and other challenges mean the risks of food fraud could increase, it is vital that everyone involved in the food chain works to ensure food is safe and does what it says on the tin.”

Retail lobby group the British Retail Consortium said it could not comment on an ongoing investigation.

“While we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, retailers will support the FSA in its investigation of the individual supplier in question,” she added.

The Food Standards Agency is not naming the company involved while it continues to gather evidence and so as not to prejudge possible future lawsuits.