Spinal cord found in meat

An abattoir in Somerset is at the centre of inquiries

An investigation has started after sheep carcasses left a slaughterhouse with banned spinal cords still inside.

The spinal cord from two carcasses was discovered by Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) staff at London's Smithfield Market in meat passed fit for human consumption.

Spinal cord is classified as specified risk material and should be removed as a precaution because of fears of BSE in sheep.

The slaughterhouse at the centre of the investigation is Hopkins of Creech St Michael, near Taunton.

Second discovery

The MHS is now working to determine how the cords were left in the meat, and how the meat was passed fit for human consumption.

A spokesperson for the MHS admitted that the responsibility for passing meat fit to eat rested with the MHS, but added: "Nothing untoward has entered the human food chain.

"It is the legal responsibility of the operating plant to remove specified risk material."

The discovery of the cords on 5 February - less than 24 hours after the animals were slaughtered - is only the second time such material has been found in British sheep since January 2001.

The MHS is an agency of the Food Standards Agency and inspects meat for over 300 local authorities.