The debate in Belgium is growing. The European Union stepped in: Inform consumers

At the daily press conference of the European Union (EU) Commission, the research conducted by the animal rights organization GAIA on businesses selling french fries and snacks in Belgium was brought to the agenda.

A journalist asked whether it should be clearly stated to consumers which animal the meat used in the products sold in these businesses comes from.

EU Commission Spokesperson Eva Hrncirova stated that she needed to check the details of the relevant legislation and said that she could not make a detailed assessment of the situation in question without examining it.

Emphasizing that they support informing consumers, the spokesperson said, "We always aim to provide clear, accurate and scientifically based information to consumers." he said.

Spokesperson Hrncirova stated that consumers know what they want to buy and eat, but they need to be informed enough to make informed choices.

HORSE DNA WAS FOUND IN 27 PERCENT OF THE PRODUCTS EXAMINED

In the GAIA study, which was published in the Belgian press last week, 123 meat snacks taken from 25 businesses in Brussels, Wallonia and Flemish regions were examined in an accredited laboratory.

Horse DNA was detected in 27 percent of the samples, which included meatballs, hamburgers, meat croquettes and snacks called "frikandel". It was determined that at least one product in 76 percent of the businesses examined contained horse DNA.

GAIA FOCUSES ON NOT DISCLOSING THE PRODUCT CONTENT, NOT ON THE USE OF HORSE MEAT

GAIA's objection focuses on businesses not illegally substituting horsemeat for other meat, but rather on failure to convey information about product ingredients to customers at the time of sale.

The organization states that horse meat may be stated in the ingredient list on the packaging of the products supplied to businesses, but the customer may not be able to find out which type of meat is in the product he purchased from the counter.