Meat fraud in the UK is on the rise
Great Britain is confronted with a large number of cases of meat fraud, especially beef, according to the latest report from Regency Purchasing Group. "We have seen some of the UK’s largest butchers disappear after being caught re-labeling product as being British – which carries a premium in price because of its high quality – when it is, in fact, imported," unveils Alex Demetriou, Managing Director of the group.
Behind the situation is the increased number of restaurants and pubs going bankrupt in the last 12 months and not paying their suppliers which forced some of the British butchers to turn to uncharacteristic practices just in order to survive and keep their businesses afloat or to compete on price, informs New Food Magazine.
"These are very challenging times because butchery is a high value and often low percentage margin business. It generates one of the highest monthly outgoings for most restaurants, which means butchers are carrying a high liability," added Demetriou.
The report has suggested that the illegal production of beef (from unapproved premises or without inspection) accounts for nearly 43 percent of reported fraud in the global beef supply chain.
This year, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) announced the results of the first set of scientific traceability tests done on PGI Welsh Lamb. Luckily, the samples taken and studied at Oritain laboratories were confirmed as originating from Welsh farms. Nevertheless, in 2013 the British red meat industry was facing a huge scandal as horse meat infiltrated the beef supply chain.
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