The statistics about horse meat being found in beef burgers being sold in Britain is truly quite astounding. According to a report in the Mirror, one range of beef burgers sold in Tesco had over 29% horse meat DNA recorded in their mass. A full 37% of all beef burgers tested were positive for horse DNA, and even more problematic, though not quite as surprising, is that 85% of burgers were found to have pig meat in them.

"Whilst there is a plausible explanation for the presence of pig DNA in these products due to the fact that meat from different animals is processed in the same meat plants, there is no clear explanation at this time for the presence of horse DNA in products emanating from meat plants that do not use horse meat in their production process," Professor Alan Reilly, chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), said. Strangely, 31 other beef based products such as cottage pie, and lasagne were also tested, but none of them had any horse DNA present at all. 

While many may feel that 'if you eat meat, you eat meat' applies here, the pig meat found in these products is highly problematic for religious groups such as Jews and Muslims as both deign that pig meat is not to be eaten. The aversion to horse meat is more peculiar and complex.

As a nation, the Brits have left the cheval consumption to the French just as we have left dog eating to China, because horses and dogs are the beloved animals of the nation. You shouldn't eat what you tell your secrets to or let you comfort you when you cry. Tesco are taking the matter very, very seriously, and in a statement said: "We are working with the authorities in Ireland and the UK, and with the supplier concerned, to urgently understand how this has happened and how to ensure it does not happen again."