Horsemeat scandal: schools caterer suspends all frozen beef products

One of the largest private catering businesses in Britain, which provides food for public services including the armed forces, schools, care homes and prisons, has withdrawn all frozen beef products across most of its business following the discovery of horse DNA in one of the samples it had tested.

Sodexo, which boasts of working on 2,300 sites in the UK and Ireland, declined to name the supplier of the beef product which tested positive for horse DNA and would not say if it was a British or Irish manufacturer. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the Sodexo lines affected included beef burgers, minced beef and halal minced beef.

Birds Eye also announced the "precautionary" withdrawal of three lines on Friday.

The discoveries are likely to stoke the political storm surrounding the horse meat scandal, which shows no sign of abating. Labour has repeatedly expressed concern over the fact that retailers and manufacturers appear to be reporting results more quickly and fully than caterers. The catering at Ascot Racecourse, which hosts Royal Ascot - attended each year by the Queen - is run by Sodexo Prestige, according to the firm's website.

The Department for Education called the incident "a serious and unacceptable breach of trust".

Schools and councils were responsible for their food contracts, it said. "We expect all schools to ensure they have rigorous procurement procedures in place. If headteachers have any concerns they should contact the FSA, their caterers or local authority immediately."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/22/horsemeat-scandal-schools-frozen-beef

Horse Meat Scare - Meat Free Lasagne

What with the current horse meat scare and tested lasagnes containing up to 100% horse meat, this has put many people off their diets, not being sure what they're putting in their mouths.
So why not try a delicious make-your-own meat free lasagne using Quorn mince instead?
As well as being a lot healthier, you are in the knowledge that what you're eating is not horse!

• 300g Quorn mince
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 100g mushrooms, sliced
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 3 tbsp red pesto
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3 tbsp red wine
• 1 vegetable stock cube
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, shredded
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8-10 lasagne sheets
• 25g butter or margarine
• 25g plain flour
• 300ml milk
• 100g mature cheddar cheese, grated plus extra for topping
• salt and freshly ground black pepper or ground white pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, 400°F, Gas Mark 6.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion and garlic for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add the mushrooms and cook for a further couple of minutes.
4. Stir in the Quorn mince and then the tomatoes, red pesto, oregano, wine and vegetable stock cube. Increase the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the basil, season to taste then remove from the heat.
6. Make the white sauce by melting the butter, stir in the flour and cook gently for a further minute stirring constantly. Slowly add the milk and reheat until beginning to thicken. At this stage add the cheese, season to taste and simmer gently for a further 2 minutes.
7. Spoon half of the mince mixture over the base of an ovenproof dish, top with lasagne sheets, repeat the layers, then pour over the cheese sauce and scatter with a little grated cheese and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
8. Serve immediately with a green salad and garlic bread

Recipe from www.quorn.co.uk