Survey of undeclared horsemeat or donkeymeat in salami and salami-type products (46/03)

Following an earlier pilot study, which found undeclared horsemeat in a number of salamis, the survey investigated the presence of undeclared horsemeat or donkey meat in salami and salami-type products on sale in the UK.

A total of 158 types of salami and salami-type products were sampled, including chorizos, mortadella, and saucisson produced in several different European countries. Samples were collected during August and September 2003 from a range of retail and wholesale catering outlets in 30 regions across the UK.

Results of DNA analysis showed that only one chorizo sample contained traces of horsemeat at the limit of detection.

Thus, this comprehensive, national survey has shown that there is no evidence of a problem with undeclared horsemeat or donkeymeat in salami-type products.

Although not a primary aim of the survey, it did find a number of products that were not properly labelled; local authorities are following up these findings.