Horsemeat scandal: Brakes confirmed as supplier of Whitbread contaminated meat lasagne

Whitbread, the pub restaurant chain, which operates the Brewers Fayre and Beefeater Grill chains, revealed earlier today that traces of horsemeat had been found in two of its beef products following testing. One of these products was the meat lasagne supplied by Brakes.

In a statement Brakes said the meat had been supplied by Pinnacle Foods.

Brakes said: "We are very disappointed that we have been badly let down by one of our suppliers.  Needless to say we have stopped using them with immediate effect.  This should not have happened and we have apologised wholeheartedly to any customers that have been affected.   Like so many in the food industry we have been the victim of an apparent fraud and we are determined to work with others in the industry to ensure that this is stamped out."  

Further DNA testing on all Brakes branded products containing beef is also underway and to date it has received 71 negative results