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Witness History: Europe's horse meat scandal

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Europe's horse meat scandal

17/01/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Europe's horse meat scandal

In 2013, horse meat was discovered in beef products across Europe

In 2013, horse meat was discovered in beef products across Europe. Ben Henderson speaks to Alan Reilly, former CEO of the Irish Food Safety Authority, who uncovered the scandal.

In 2013, horse meat was discovered in Irish beef burgers. The scandal snowballed and within six weeks horse meat was found in beef products in more than a dozen European countries. 

The story revealed how complex and unregulated Europe’s meat industry was, making it a target for fraudsters. 

Ben Henderson speaks to Alan Reilly, former Chief Executive of the Irish Food Safety Authority, who uncovered the scandal.

(Photo: Meat inspection in a French supermarket. Credit: Sebastien Bozon via Getty Images)

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