A joint team of Department of Agriculture special investigators and gardaí have raided the home of a businessman at the centre of the controversy around the presence of horse meat in beef burgers.
The surprise searches unfolded from 7am yesterday at the home in Co Monaghan of meat trader Martin McAdam.
His company, McAdam Foods, imported Polish beef product which was found to contain up to 80 per cent horse DNA.
A company statement said McAdam Foods was “shocked and astonished” to hear the product contained horse meat
The Irish Times understands the search was led by the department’s special investigators, which have Garda-style investigative powers and also send criminal files to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A team of gardaí assisted yesterday’s search at Mr McAdam’s home in Newbliss.
A number of items were taken away including records, laptop computers, USB sticks and other electronic material.
Last night McAdam Foods issued a statement that said it had “no awareness or knowledge whatsoever” of the possibility of horse meat being found in meat products it imported.
“McAdam Foods is a reputable and well- run business and is compliant with all required food industry standards and regulations,” it said.
The company was “co-operating fully and willingly with the authorities”.
Yesterday, ABP Food Group confirmed that Silvercrest had bought about 170 tonnes of Polish beef product from McAdam Foods last year.
