Next up on the list of horse meat recalls – IKEA? The majority of the news regarding European food contaminated with horse meat has been focused on Burger King and Nestlé, as both companies are actually known for their food production and sales, but now the Swedish furniture retailer has joined the fray after it was determined that horse meat had been found in IKEA’s cafeteria meatballs. In response, IKEA officials have recalled meatballs from their stores in at least 14 European countries.
The problem began in the Czech Republic, as food inspection authorities first discovered the tainted meat there and alerted IKEA officials in Sweden. While the company had reportedly conducted its own tests on the meat used in its food products, a voluntary recall was still put into effect for the sake of ceasing concerns from European consumers. The countries affected by this recall include the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Britain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Ireland.
According to the New York Times, IKEA officials announced in a statement that they are still trying to determine just how widespread this problem may be:
“We are now initiating further tests on the same production batch in which the Czech Republic authorities found indications of horse meat
. . .
We do not tolerate any other ingredients than the ones stipulated in our recipes or specifications, secured through set standards, certifications and product analysis by accredited laboratories.”
While IKEA tries to determine if this contamination is limited to its meatballs or if there’s a greater risk with more of its popular cafeteria food items, European Union health officials are weighing stricter DNA testing measures for meat products. Like the Burger King and Nestlé recalls before it, this IKEA recall does not affect American stores or consumers.