Whitbread plans new menu traceability measures after horse meat finds

Whitbread is planning a new system of traceability to include clear tracking of ingredients on its menus, after two of its products were found to contain equine DNA.

In an update this morning the company, which owns the Beefeater, Table Table and Brewers Fayre pub chains as well as Premier Inn and Costa Coffee brands, said it had launched a full investigation into its meat supply chain.

And it added that it was extending its independent batch testing of processed meats in the wake of the findings, as well as demanding certification from suppliers for all processed meat products.

Whitbread said it also hoped to track ingredients from "field to fork" in the future.

In a statement the business said: "Our customers have reacted positively to the actions that we've taken and our restaurants continue to trade well. We expect to have newly sourced and certified beef burgers back on our menus this week.

"It has become clear that this is a Europe wide issue of quality control within parts of the processed meat supply chain, supplying many restaurants and retailers. The situation is totally unacceptable and we are determined to play our part in repairing a flawed system.

"We believe that a wholesale change is required to the way the supply chain is regulated and a tougher regime needs to be put in place. As a major player within the industry we intend to take an active role and assist the FSA in setting the standards in the food supply chain that the UK public expect and deserve."