A MEATH MEAT company has been fined €16,000 for falsely declaring beef from Poland, Lithuania and Germany was Irish in origin.

Keelaghan Wholesale Meats Ltd, of Ashbourne, Co. Meath was found guilty of six charges at Navan District Court yesterday.

These included falsely declaring beef imported from Poland, Lithuania or Germany was Irish in origin and the application of false Irish slaughter and cutting plant codes on packaging labels.

It was also found guilty of having an inadequate beef traceability plan.

Judge Gráinne Malone noted the fraud was a serious matter which was perpetrated not only on the consumer, but on the entire industry.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) brought the case against the meat company following an investigation in conjunction with Meath County Council.

FSAI CEO, Pamela Byrne, said the ruling reinforced the message that breaches of food law will not be tolerated.

“Food businesses are obliged by law to ensure that the information they provide to their customers is accurate,” she said.

“Customers must have confidence in their food suppliers and should seek to assure themselves that the food they are purchasing is authentic and that the integrity of the supply chain has not been compromised.

Food businesses should ensure that they have robust traceability systems in place and that they carry out their own audits of their suppliers to check that they have the appropriate food safety systems in place and are complying with the law.

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