IKEA HAS PULLED its moose lasagne from shelves in the latest installment of Europe’s meat contamination controversy.

The Swedish retailer said it received information about the product from Belgian authorities on 22 March. Although the meal poses no threat to public health, Ikea said tests showed a batch of the lasagnes contained more than one per cent pork.

The company said it is taking the issue “very seriously” and withdrew almost 18,000 units.

“Together with our supplier, we have made improvements in production to ensure that our products contain no ingredients other than those listed in the table of contents,” it said in a statement.

Customers who bought the product can return it for a money-back guarantee.

The contamination had taken place at Dafgaard, the same company that produces the Ikea meatballs that were pulled after tests showed they contained horsemeat. It is understood that a mix of pork and beef was grinded at the facility in the morning and elk meat in the afternoon.

The product, which contains around 12 percent meat, had only been sold in European countries and was not available in any Muslim countries. Islamic law forbids the consumption of pork.

-Additional reporting by AFP

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