UK upmarket retailer Waitrose has recalled its British beef meatballs after the product were found to potentially contain traces of pork.

The retailer said today (13 February) two batches of its Essential 16 British Meatballs produced last summer may contain pork. The products have a best-before date of June 2013 and August 2013.

Waitrose said tests results on the product had been “contradictory” but added it had taken the “precautionary action” of removing the product from sale and putting up customer information notices in all its branches.

A spokesperson for Waitrose said the products were made for the chain by ABP Freshlink, which has been lined up for closure by parent ABP Food Group.

ABP was the company originally at the centre of the horse meat scandal. Retailers including Tesco, The Co-operative Group and Aldi delisted ABP’s Irish meat supplier Silvercrest Foods after its burgers were found to contain traces of horse DNA.

She added: “It was entirely appropriate to test beef products in line with FSA guidance. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“We have absolute confidence in the source of our beef. All of our beef is British and comes from our own group of farms through our own supplier and abattoir.”