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A refrigerated container belonging to C&J Meats that had 50 beef carcases inside was stolen from premises in the Red Lion Road area of Loughgall, Co Armagh, last Friday.
The 40ft container was taken at around 1am and was subsequently recovered by gardaí in Dundalk, Co Louth.
However, authorities confirmed that a “significant amount of the beef” had been removed by the time the container was located.
Requirements
Dr Pamela Byrne from Food Safety Authority of Ireland said that there is no way of knowing whether meat sold on by an unregistered supplier meets food safety requirements around cutting, storage and handling.
“We are urging food businesses and consumers alike to be vigilant against purchasing beef from unregistered sources,” she said.
PSNI Inspector Leslie Badger is encouraging anyone with information about the theft to either contact the police by dialling 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Avian influenza detected in Suffolk
Avian influenza has been detected in a flock of broiler breeder birds in Suffolk.
It is a low pathogenic H5 strain of bird flu which can cause mild breathing problems in poultry.
It is understood that the disease was detected by a private vet who was investigating a drop in egg production in the flock.
All 27,000 birds on the farm have been humanely culled and a 1km restriction zone has been established to stop the disease spreading.
Authorities say that there is no food safety risk to consumers as a result of the incident.
It is the first outbreak of bird flu in poultry in the UK since June 2017 and it is the UK’s first case of a low pathogenic strain since January 2016.
DAERA chief vet Dr Robert Huey said that although the risk to the NI poultry sector remains low, avian flu is a constant threat to all poultry.
He is urging all bird keepers to maintain good biosecurity and remain vigilant.
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