S.Africa to probe donkey meat scandal

South Africa has launched an “urgent” investigation into how unlabelled donkey, water buffalo and goat got into meat products sold in supermarkets.

The cabinet requested the probe after reports had created “alarm and panic” after the irregular ingredients were revealed in an university study.

“We will probably begin with the retailers themselves,” acting National Consumer Commission commissioner Ebrahim Mohamed told journalists.

“All in the supply chain can be held responsible and all will be subject to this investigation.”

The study found that over two thirds of meat products tested contained undeclared ingredients.

The DNA-based study was sparked by the horse meat scandal in Europe.

Products will be tested and the commission would be working quickly, said Mohamed.

“We are going to push so that we can get finality on this matter,” he said.

Stellenbosch University found that up to 68 percent of 139 meat samples from shops and butcheries had irregular ingredients, with pork and chicken most often substituted for other meat.

Plant matter was also found in the minced meat, burger patties, sausages and deli and dried meat.

Europe has been battling its own food drama after horsemeat was found in so-called beef ready-made meals and burgers in several countries.