JD Wetherspoon gives its meat the all clear

In a statement on its official website JD Wetherspoon has announced that, after independent laboratory testing, all its menu items have been given the all clear for equine DNA, writes Luke Holmes.

Wetherspoon tested 29 of its most popular menu dishes, including its beef and ale pies, spaghetti Bolognese and Cornish pasty, all of which tested negative for traces of horsemeat.

The chain has also announced that it does not use any of the suppliers highlighted in the horsemeat scandal, which has hit the headlines in recent months.

In the statement on its website, Wetherspoon said: “We source raw and processed meat and other menu items from a number of accredited suppliers. We are able to provide details of suppliers for any specific product on request.

“We only use reputable suppliers that are accredited by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) or are approved by the Local Authority as a food manufacturer and supplier.”

All meat served by Wetherspoon is sourced and processed in Britain and Ireland. As well as beef, the burgers served in the pubs contain a small amount of rusk, salt and pepper.

The statement added: “In the extremely unlikely circumstance that a product is found to contain horsemeat it will be immediately withdrawn from sale.”