- An ABC News Four Corners investigation , citing confidential NSW Food Authority documents obtained by Greens MP Abigail Boyd, claimed that horse meat was found in food products intended for human consumption, potentially sold as beef or lamb.
- The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) strongly refuted these allegations, stating that the NSW Food Authority has not found horse meat in beef, lamb, or any food for human consumption.
- DPIRD clarified that while horse meat can be legally sold if processed in a licensed abattoir, there are no abattoirs in NSW currently licensed to process horse meat for human consumption.
- The confidential documents reportedly also revealed other food safety issues, including instances of mouse fur, metal shavings, and mislabelled dairy products found in various food items.
- DPIRD suggested the claims were linked to investigations into illegal knackeries, highlighting a case in Wagga Wagga where an operator was fined A$12,000 for processing animals for pet food, primarily for the greyhound industry.
IN FULL
Australian authorities hit back over claims of horse meat found in food
