London, Jan 16 (IANS) A British MP has questioned the government as to how horse meat and pig DNA were found in burgers on sale in supermarkets in the country.
There have been calls for a inquiry after tests by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland found that beef products sold in many stores contained low levels of horse DNA, the Telegraph reported.
More than 37 percent of products tested in Ireland contained horse DNA, while 85 percent also contained pig DNA.
Horse meat and pig DNA was found in 27 beef burger products. Another 31 foods, including cottage pies, beef curry pies and lasagnes, were analysed, with 21 testing positive for pig DNA.
Traces of horse DNA were also detected in batches of raw ingredients.
Mary Creagh, Labour shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said it was a "wake up call" to the government.
In one store, beef burgers, now removed from sale, were found to contain approximately 29 percent of horse meat.
"There are serious questions for the government to answer about what happened and why it wasn't detected by British food safety authorities," the MP said.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner, who sits on the House of Commons food, environment and rural affairs committee, said it looked as if there had been "fraud, misrepresentation and incompetence" at the highest levels.