Are we heading towards the next horse meat scandal? Inside the UK’s illegal meat crisis
A wake-up call for the food industry
Twelve years on from the horsemeat scandal, the UK is once again facing a worrying rise in food fraud, and this time, the consequences could be even greater. Recent investigations by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee reveal an alarming surge in illegally imported and unsafe meat entering Britain’s supply chain.
The issue isn’t confined to border smuggling; it’s a nationwide problem that’s slipping through the cracks of a stretched enforcement system. In short, we may be walking into the next major food scandal unless food businesses act fast to secure their supply chains.
What’s happening – and why now?
The government has warned that criminal networks are exploiting global food shortages and cost pressures to smuggle unregulated meat into the UK. In some cases, products are being found in bin bags, suitcases, and unmarked boxes, which is a far cry from the hygienic, traceable supply chains legitimate food businesses rely on.
A combination of poor harvests, rising food costs, and weakened import checks has created the perfect storm. With food prices at record highs, counterfeit and mislabelled products, from “British” beef that’s anything but, to salmon and poultry of questionable origin, are flooding the market.
The hidden dangers of food fraud
This isn’t just about misleading labels. Illegally traded meat poses serious food safety and biosecurity risks, including the potential spread of animal diseases like African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease.
When contaminated or untraceable meat enters kitchens, restaurants, or manufacturing facilities, it undermines consumer trust and puts them in real danger by threatening public health. It also puts businesses at risk of fines, closures, and long-term reputational damage.
Learning from past scandals
The horsemeat scandal taught the industry a valuable lesson, that when corners are cut, everyone pays the price.
Recent high-profile cases, such as the National Food Crime Unit’s Operation Bantam, exposed how meat classified as unfit for human consumption and originally intended for pet food, was illegally diverted into the food chain and sold through wholesalers and even Facebook.
The criminals behind these operations received hefty prison sentences, but their actions highlight how vulnerable supply chains remain to exploitation.
How to protect your business against food fraud
The good news? There’s plenty that food businesses can do right now to protect themselves and their customers from this alarming threat.
- Know and trust your suppliers
It goes without saying, but you should only work with approved and audited suppliers. Ask questions about sourcing, certification, and traceability, and make sure documentation matches deliveries. Be wary of “too good to be true” offers or last-minute deals.
- Strengthen your traceability systems
It’s crucial to make sure that all products are fully traceable from farm to fork. Keep records up to date, and check that your suppliers do the same. Food Alert clients can use their Alert65 system to log supplier information and maintain due diligence records easily.
- Train your team
Frontline awareness is critical. Make sure anyone involved in procurement or receiving goods can spot red flags like damaged packaging, missing labels, or suspicious paperwork.
- Report concerns immediately
If you suspect food fraud, report it to the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit or your local authority. Whistleblowing plays a major role in uncovering illegal activity and many prosecutions start with a tip-off.
Why we’re speaking up
The illegal meat trade is a biosecurity threat that endangers consumer health, farm livelihoods, and the integrity of the UK’s food industry. And it must be stamped out.
As the government and enforcement agencies step up their investigations, now’s the time to review your supplier assurance processes and make sure that your business doesn’t unwittingly become part of a food fraud network. Trust us, you’ll pay the price!
Our experts are here to help you implement robust food safety management systems, conduct supplier audits, and train your team to stay vigilant to keep your business running smoothly, and on the right side of the law.
We’re here to help secure your supply chain
At Food Alert, our Supply Chain Management solutions combine certification checks, supplier audits, self-audit tools, and real-time traceability so you can see exactly where your ingredients come from, and prove that your supply chain is as rigorous as your operations. Our powerhouse combination of expert guidance and digital tools will give you complete confidence in your supply chain compliance.
Enquire with us today and we’ll walk you through how our system and services can fit your business and give you total peace of mind.