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Horse meat found in UK Taco Bell’s ‘ground beef’

LONDON — Food safety officials say they have found traces of horse meat in ground beef sold by fast food restaurant Taco Bell in Britain, where the chain has only three outlets.

The Food Standards Agency says horse DNA also was found in Birds Eye spaghetti Bolognese and beef lasagna and spicy minced beef skewers from catering supplier Brakes.

Horse meat has recently been found in beef dishes across Europe, including in frozen supermarket dishes and restaurants, school and hospital meals.

Authorities say the fraudulent labeling poses no health risk, but the scandal has drawn attention to the complex supply chain for meat products.

The Food Standards Agency said Friday it had tested more than 5,400 products in Britain, and more than 99 percent were clear of horse.