Birds Eye pulls entrees from shelves

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LONDON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Birds Eye recalled some entrees sold in four European countries after tests found the presence of horse DNA in the meals, the company said Friday.

After tests found 2 percent of horse DNA was in chili con carne dish sold by Birds Eye in Belgium, the company pulled the chili meal, as well as its spaghetti Bolognese, shepherd's pie and lasagna because they were made by Belgian manufacturer, Frigilunch N.V., The Daily Telegraph reported.

"We want to reassure you from the testing we have completed that all Birds Eye beef burgers, beef pies and beef platters do not contain horse DNA," Birds Eye said in a statement. "Regrettably, we have found one product, chili con carne, produced for us by Frigilunch N.V. and sold in Belgium, that has tested positive for horse DNA at 2 percent"

"While this is not a food safety issue, it is clearly unacceptable," the company said. "In accordance with our high standards, we are immediately withdrawing this product from sale" in Britain and Ireland.

Iglo Foods Group, parent company of Birds Eye and Findus, said it had been conducting checks on all of its beef products after other manufacturers reported their foods had been contaminated with horse meat.

Iglo said it was pulling 15 products manufactured by Frigilunch as a precaution. The dinners were distributed in Belgium, Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands.