Whitbread, which has its HQ in Dunstable, has spoken of its shock when horse DNA was found in two meals destined for its restaurant menus.
The equine DNA was discovered in meat lasagne and beefburgers provided by suppliers, after Whitbread sent off products for independent tests. The two affected products were immediately taken off the menus.
In a statement, Whitbread said: “We are shocked and disappointed at this failure of the processed meat supply chain.”
Whitbread, based in the Houghton Hall Business Park in Porz Avenue, is just one of the household names caught up in the national horsemeat scandal.
The furore began in January, when inspectors found traces of horsemeat in some beefburgers stocked by various big-name supermarkets.
A number of UK retailers have recalled processed beef products found to contain horse DNA.
Major supermarket chiefs were among those who signed an open public letter last week, saying they shared shoppers’ “anger and outrage”.
Whitbread has eight Premier Inn, Beefeater, Brewers Fayre and Table Table venues in this area and Luton, and has more than 1,300 employees at local offices and outlets.
On its website, chief executive Andy Harrison wrote that the team had been “dismayed” over the equine DNA discovery.
He pointed out this was not just a Whitbread problem, but a wider issue of quality control in parts of the processed meat supply chain, which serves many restaurants and retailers.
Mr Harrison said the situation was “totally unacceptable” and Whitbread was taking action to ensure the problem did not arise again.
Testing would be extended to all of the processed meats bought from its suppliers. A new system of certification will be brought in for its processed meat suppliers.
Mr Harrison added: “Whitbread will also be working with the Food Standards Agency to assist them in setting tougher standards and controls to apply right throughout the restaurant industry.”
> Central Beds Council says it routinely looks at supply and traceability of food products during inspections of food outlets, including school kitchens. No concerns have been raised by staff or residents.