Mystery Meat Goes Global: Donkey, Goat, and Water Buffalo Meat Found in 'Beef' Burgers, Sausages
As Europe's horse-meat scandal widens to include what seems like every single food product on the continent, South Africa is ready to get in on the fun too: according to an academic study, South African meat processors been mislabeling their meat projects, adding donkey, goat, and water buffalo meat to their "beef" burgers and sausages.
Three professors at Stellenbosch University published a study that claims 99 of the 139 samples contained undeclared species. The highest incidence of species confusion appeared in sausages, burger patties, and deli meats. Professor Louwrens C. Hoffman, a co-author of the study, said it confirms "the mislabeling of processed meats is commonplace in South Africa and not only violates food labeling regulations but also poses economic, religious, ethical and health impacts." They're free of horsemeat though, so gold star in that department.
