‘No horse meat in school dinners’
West Sussex County Council has reassured residents that beef-based meals provided by council suppliers have not been found to contain horse meat.
The statement came in the wake of fresh concerns over the discovery of horse meat in more products sold in supermarkets around the country and parts of Europe.
Louise Goldsmith, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “We take this issue very seriously. We have been assured by our suppliers that the products used in our primary schools, special schools and meals on wheels services have not been affected by this.
“We will continue to monitor this situation closely.”
It has been reported that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) was planning to take samples from 28 local authorities.
A council spokesman confirmed that West Sussex had not been approached to take part in this testing process.
He added that the county council had no current plans to remove beef from the menu for primary school meals.
Catering service manager John Figgins said: “Beef is an important part of the school meal menu in our primary schools.
“It is a good source of iron and helps to provide a nutritional balance in our dishes.
“Chartwells, providers of hot meals to primary schools in the county, have assured us of their own supply chain.
“Their suppliers also undergo regular independent audits to ensure strict food quality and safety standards are upheld.”
For more information log on to www.westsussex.gov.uk/countycatering
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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