The UK's Food Standards Agency confirmed this morning (8 February) it is cooperating with European police authorities as it works to get to the bottom of the horse meat scandal.
According to the FSA, the "significant amount of horse meat" in Tesco beef burgers and Findus ready meals, which were produced by suppliers in Ireland and France, suggests either "gross negligence" or "deliberate contamination".
"This is why we have already involved the police, both here and in Europe," the food safety watchdog said.
"We believe that these two particular cases - the frozen burgers from Tesco and the lasagne from Findus - are linked to suppliers in Ireland and France respectively. We are working closely with the authorities in these countries to get to the root of the problem."
The agency emphasised there is no reason "to suspect health issues" with "frozen food in general" and insisted it is not advising the public to stop eating it.
