February 12, 2013

horsemeat – bute (phenylbutazone) and DNA testing

The SMC asked a number of food science and equine experts to come and talk about the scientific aspects of the horsemeat scandal, including issues around food safety, traceability, toxicology and DNA testing.

A Factsheet accompanied this Briefing.

Speakers  included: 

Professor Tim Morris, Vice Chair of British Horse Industry Confederation and veterinary surgeon, University of Nottingham

Michael Walker, Science and Food Law Consultant at LGC (international analytical services company, formerly Laboratory of the Government Chemist) and expert in analytical chemistry, food science and food policy; was founder board member of the Food Standards Agency 

Dr Chris Smart, Corporate Business Development Manager, Leatherhead Food Research

Dr Mark Woolfe,  Food Scientist/Technologist who has worked for 25 years as a Government Scientist (MAFF and the Food Standards Agency), with responsibility for European/UK Regulations on the labelling and composition of a wide range of foods including meat products

(Dr Woolfe ran the FSA’s Food Authenticity Programme from its beginning in 1992 up to 2009)