Proving that an Alan Wrench can’t solve every problem, IKEA faces mounting customer outrage after it was discovered that their signature meatball dish contained horse meat.
Let’s go to the tape, via the NYT:
LONDON — The escalating crisis over horse meat in beef products in Europe claimed another big retail victim Monday when the Swedish furniture giant, Ikea, withdrew meatballs from sale in 14 European countries.
The retailer said it had removed some products from its stores in Sweden after the authorities in the Czech Republic detected horse meat in Ikea meatballs. The company said it had made the decision even though its own tests two weeks ago had not detected horse DNA.
Ikea also announced that it was stopping sales “of the concerned batch” of meatballs in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Britain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Ireland.
“We are now initiating further tests on the same production batch in which the Czech Republic authorities found indications of horse meat,” Ikea added in a statement. It said results were expected in the coming days.
“We do not tolerate any other ingredients than the ones stipulated in our recipes or specifications, secured through set standards, certifications and product analysis by accredited laboratories,” the statement said.
A traditional part of Swedish cuisine, meatballs are consumed in large quantities by customers in Ikea’s in-store cafeterias, and are also offered, frozen, for sale in Ikea’s in-store food shops for customers to take home.
It feels like a remarkable amount of funny jokes can be made here, but it’s worth noting that Nestle and several other European facilities have recently been found to have “suspect items” inside their meat. Europe has strict traceability laws due in no small part to the outbreak of Mad Cow disease in the 90’s. Of course, in all fairness horrific food products have been well-worn of late in Europe, who continues to work to strengthen their food standards. But before Americans start feeling too superior, it’s worth noting that many of America’s food standards are nonexistent… meaning the horrors aren’t even being found yet.
