In recent weeks, a number of supermarket chains and other food suppliers/manufacturers have learned that some of their supposed processed beef products have contained varying proportions of horse DNA.
In the case of Tesco, these included Everyday Value 8 x beef burgers (397g), Tesco 4 x beef quarter pounders (454g), branded Flamehouse Chargrilled Quarter Pounders, and Everyday Value Spaghetti Bolognese.
All the products so far positively tested for horse DNA have now been withdrawn from Tesco shelves, and the following statement currently appears above the tills at the chain's Broughton Road branch:
Meanwhile, on Broughton Street, the independent butcher Crombie's has reported a 25 per cent increase in sales, and has invested a proportion of the profits in the following helpful window display.
Not everyone in Broughton is against human consumption of horse meat – so long as it is properly sourced, labelled, and of good quality. Locals may remember how, two years ago, French chef and local restaurateur Fred Berkmiller championed horse rump steak with pepper sauce, and horse meat steak tartare with raw duck egg yolk at L'Escargot Bleu on Broughton Street.
His excitement at introducing the dishes to Scottish palates was met, however, by some strong criticism, concern about horse welfare issues, and an online petition which attracted 683 signatures, largely from the USA.
What do Spurtle readers think? Please tell us.