Horsemeat-laced hamburger patties found in Finland

HELSINKI - The Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira confirmed that a batch of frozen hamburger patties imported by a Finnish company from Ireland contained horsemeat, Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE reported on Tuesday.

The horsemeat-laced hamburger patties amounted to 200-300 boxes and each box contained about 30 hamburger patties, according to Evira.

The hamburger patties were imported by a Finnish company from the Irish company Rangelands Foods. Evira refused to reveal further information about the company but said the products had been withdrawn from the market.

The authority emphasized that there was no evidence of any health risk to consumers.

The horsemeat scandal first spread to Finland as the Finnish branches of German grocery chain Lidl withdrew Beef goulash from their shelves last weekend.

On Monday, two products of Lidl were confirmed containing residue of horsemeat in the company's internal check. Lidl announced on Tuesday that the company would implement DNA test on all beef products sold in Lidl stores.