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Low harm risk from horse meat in UK food chain

Diet Malnutrition
There is no evidence horse meat in the UK food chain will cause a safety risk to consumers who have eaten it, according to CMO Dame Professor Sally Davies.

There is no evidence horse meat in the UK food chain will cause a safety risk to consumers who have eaten it, according to CMO Dame Professor Sally Davies.

She he said: 'Phenylbutazone is used to treat people who suffer from a type of arthritis. However, there are international checks to prevent it entering the food chain because there is a low risk of serious effects - such as aplastic anaemia - in some people. Even if [it] is found at low levels, there is a low risk that it would cause any harm.'

However, MPs on the environment select committee warned it is 'improbable' criminals prepared to pass off horse meat as beef are following good hygiene standards.