European horsemeat scare hits Hong Kong

Government pulls imported lasagna brand from store shelves on horsemeat fears.

Hong Kong authorities said they had begun this recall last week, ordering top local supermarket chain ParknShop to remove lasagna made by Swedish frozen food firm, Findus, one of the firms involved in the horsemeat scandal.

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety urged locals not to consume the item, which it said might be adulterated with horsemeat which has not undergone tests for veterinary drugs. The product was imported from Britain.

ParknShop, one of the biggest supermarket chains in Hong Kong is owned by local billionaire Li Ka-shing. It has 280 stores in Hong Kong and Macau.

ParknShop confirmed the Findus product was removed from its stores last week following the government's instructions.

Concerns about horsemeat first emerged in mid-January when Irish authorities found traces of horse in beef burgers made by firms in Ireland and Britain and sold in supermarket chains including Tesco and Aldi.