Horse DNA found in school burger

21 February 2013 Last updated at 16:44 ET

Traces of horse DNA have been found in a frozen burger within a school kitchen in North Lanarkshire.

Procurement agency Scotland Excel has, as a result, advised Scotland councils to "place a hold on the use of all frozen beef burger products".

It is the first such discovery following widespread local authority testing resulting from the discovery of horsemeat in the UK food chain.

The Food Standards Agency has been advised and "investigations continue".

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "It is unacceptable that a burger which has tested positive for traces of horsemeat was supplied to a school in North Lanarkshire.

"However, North Lanarkshire Council have taken immediate action to withdraw the product from the schools and, as a precautionary measure, all Scottish schools have been advised to put a hold on the use of frozen burgers.

"Of the thousands of tests, this is the first positive result in our schools, but it is one too many.

"No company should be supplying our schools with food with beef products that contain traces of horse meat."

A Scotland Excel spokeswoman said it is "very concerned to learn of this incident despite the steps taken by our suppliers to provide assurances on their processed meat products".

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Horse DNA found in school burger