CEJ #5

Sophie

February 25, 2013

Ikea Withdraws Meatballs After Horse Meat Is Found

London

Castle, Stephen
NY Times Learning Network
February 25, 2013
Business
http://www.nytimes.com

The Czech Republic found horse meat in meatballs sold by the furniture store, Ikea. The Swedish furniture company uses large buildings to sell their furniture and rooms decorating materials, but furniture isn’t all they bring to their customers. Ikea stores generally have play sections for children, cafeterias, and food shops to go along with the furniture. The authorities from the Czech Republic detected horse meat in the meatballs that Ikea had already sold to countries including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Britain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Ireland. Fortunately, the sales were stopped by Ikea even though the company claims they tested the meatballs two weeks before. The company states, “We are now initiating further tests on the same production batch in which the Czech Republic authorities found indications of horse meat.” The test results will announce in the next few days, whether or not the meatballs they have sold in their cafeterias and food shops have horse meat in them.
This article came as a shock to me, because I have been to Ikea and loved the place. It seemed like a really interesting company and I like how big their stores are! If the meatballs they sold actually do contain horse meat, I will be sad to know that they sold customers false labels. Hopefully, the horse meat won’t be found when they test the meatballs a third time. One would think that after two tests, there would be a clear answer as to what meat was in the meatballs. I wonder how many people ate the meatballs and later found out what it actually may have been? Even if the meatballs didn’t contain horse meat, I think it’s strange to buy microwavable meals from a furniture store, period. I would almost expect there to be something strange in it. I wonder why there would be horse meat in the meatballs, but perhaps horse meat was used in the same factory. I have heard of mixed up food items similar to this situation happening at McDonalds too, and I think food that is sold to other people should be strictly tested before being sold. If unreliable labeling is found again in Ikea foods, they may have to shut down their food production and stick to furniture, if even that is allowed. From this incident, I am sure that Ikea will be losing some customers and maybe this will teach them a lesson to check their food carefully before letting someone else eat it. It may also be a lesson to those who at the horse meat and all who heard of this to remember that companies can’t always be reliable to make the safest meals and don’t worry about what goes into buyers’ mouths.