To share this page, click on in the toolbar You might also like Border force – December 2015 23 out of 26 butcher samples in Lisbon, Porto and Setubal regions were found to contain sulphites, a preservative which is not permitted for use in fresh meat 727mg/kg of calcium x 10 1. Meat-based foods are not always what you think7575% +25R Cases of ‘whole piece’ pork satay tested in the Netherlands were found to be a mix of small meat pieces and minced meat 1961 - 33% fat 2015 - 45% fat The fat content in Špekáčky sausages has increased by 12% 2. The actual amount of meat can be lower than stated on the label 1515% +85R The difference in actual meat content compared with that on the label for pork sausages in the Czech Republic 2524.5% +75R The difference in actual meat content compared with the declared amount in minced meat preparations in the Czech Republic. Water and other ingredients replaced the meat 5050% +50R The difference in stated and actual declared meat content in kroketten – a deepfried snack made of ragout coated with breadcrumbs – in the Netherlands 3. Meat content might be watered down The undeclared water content found in meat preparations, such as rôti toscan and médaillon ardennais, in Belgium tests 5% 4. Preservatives and colours sometimes end up where they are not supposed to 5. The meat in kebabs, salami and similar food might not live up to consumers’ expectations The highest levels of calcium found in a Lovecký salám – a popular type of salami in the Czech Republic – compared with the lowest calcium levels identified 6. Beef and chicken are often disguised as lamb, while poultry and turkey is purported to be veal 4040% +60RThe number of lamb takeaways contaminated with other meats, with some containing no lamb at all Of 60 takeaway lamb curries and minced kebabs bought from restaurants in Birmingham and London: 24 had been mixed with other meats, such as beef and chicken 7contained no lamb at all 5contained unidentifiable meat, which had likely been overcooked or re-cooked 20 of the 25 veal kebab samples analysed in Spain contained chicken 6 contained 60% more than chicken. In Italy, some of the samples did not contain any veal, only turkey 1111% +89R The number of French samples of fresh sausages, merguez, kebabs, salamis and cured meat that contained undeclared or unauthorised pork 55% +95R contained poultry A 16-month investigation reveals the true extent of food fraud across the EU Food fraud exposed Source: Close-up on the meat we eat: consumers want honest labels, by the European consumer organisation, BEUC EU probe In this feature l meat content l preservatives l kebabs