Ikea worries its sausages have horse meat, too

Advertising for Ikea meat balls at the parking area at an Ikea store in Malmo, Sweden Monday Feb. 25, 2012. / AP Photo

STOCKHOLM Swedish home furnishings giant Ikea says it is withdrawing wiener sausages in France, Britain, Spain, Ireland and Portugal after tests confirmed "a few indications of horse meat."

The move comes two days after the company withdrew Swedish meatballs from stores across Europe and a handful of countries in Asia and the Caribbean.

"Based on some hundred test results that we have received so far, there are a few indications of horse meat," Ikea spokeswoman Ylva Magnusson said Wednesday. "Together with the Swedish supplier in question we have decided to withdraw from sales also the wiener sausages ... from that supplier."

Horse meat has been found mixed into beef dishes sold across Europe, including in frozen supermarket meals. It has also been found in meals served at restaurants, schools and hospitals.

• Horse meat found in Ikea's Swedish meatballs
• South Africa: Buffalo and donkey found in beef products
• Why we don't eat horses

Meanwhile, Portuguese authorities say they have seized 87 tons of beef products containing traces of horse meat in recent days and opened criminal proceedings against five local companies.

Portugal's Food Safety Agency said late Tuesday it made the seizures at companies that process, package and distribute meat to large retail outlets.

The agency said in a statement on its website that it also took almost 19,000 pre-packed products from Portuguese stores after detecting horse meat in them. They included lasagnas, hamburgers and meatballs.

[upurassen]

No worries about anyone eating those IKEA sausages and meatballs. They don't have any place to sit down to eat since they're ALL still trying to figure to get those IKEA tables they bought put together!

[Montana5]

THIS explains why on Kentucky Derby weekend, I want to go jogging.

[Montana5]

THIS explains why on Kentucky Derby weekend, I want to go jogging.

[oldsoftee]

I'm kinda worried which part of the horse is used for "sausage meat".

[stupa5]

I prefer Reindeer swedish meatballs..
Sweden not known for it's cullinary delights

[stupa5]

I prefer Reindeer swedish meatballs..
Sweden not known for it's cullinary delights

[credibility2]

What is being done in the U.S. to test these same products for horse meat/non-labeled ingredient meat? These same products are also imported to the U.S. and sold in the U.S. IKEA stores. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the origin of manufacture was China.

[markweinreb]

Im surprised that Ikea's sausage or meatball have any meat in them at all.
Maybe they can be traced to a entucky derby winner

[nand1ka]

Why is this news? Should this be a surprise any meat eater? If you eat meat, why should it matter if it is a cow, pig, horse, monkey, dog, deer, cat, goat, human, any flesh really ? If it bothers you, then maybe you should really think about not eating meat. Stop and think about what creature suffered incredibly for your dining pleasure. We live in the 21st century, we have computers, iphones, fashion shows, explore space, in vitro, sports cars and the knowledge that we can live on a healthy vegan diet. So why continue to behave like cavemen? Have compassion towards all animals and stop eating their tortured flesh! Meat is Murder, plain and simple, even creepy. If you had to watch from beginning to end the process by which your burger or meatball came to your plate you would have nightmares forever.

[nand1ka]

to mr. 996ducati:
Actually plants do not have feelings, they do not possess a central nervous system. Anyway, how can you compare plants (who can regenerate) with animals (include humans) in their ability to feel pain? Go raise and slaughter your own meat, Mr. Neanderthal. Do not pay others to do your dirty work.