Polish meat scandal shocks Europe

Few things stir more attention and anxiety from the public than scandals involving food. Consumer panic may take a heavy toll on company profits, or even affect whole industries. Polish meat industry is going to learn this the hard way. Recent revelations from TV reporters make everybody wonder if Polish beef is safe.

An investigation conducted by journalists from TVN, one of the biggest Polish television stations, revealed shocking practices of slaughterhouses, which according to the reporters’ findings were done on a mass scale. The TV station revealed that abattoir workers killed cows which were sick and unable to move or even stand on their own. Sick animals’ meat was sold to numerous clients and reached regular consumers.

TVN broadcast footage recorded with hidden cameras that shows cows dragged with lines, killed at night and without the presence of a veterinarian (which is obligatory). Workers used a seal to mark meat as healthy, even though it can only be used by a specialist who is supposed to evaluate if the beef is safe for consumption. Eating meat of sick animals may be harmful to human health but apparently the practice of slaughtering sick animals is very profitable and according to the journalists is common in the industry.

The news was quickly picked up by international media and caught the attention of the European Commission. Not without a reason. Poland is a big exporter of beef and other meats. After the outbreak of the scandal, authorities in several European countries ordered investigation. Meat coming from the slaughterhouse in question (which was immediately closed) was found in several states, including Finland, Slovakia, Portugal and Lithuania, as well as more than 20 locations in Poland.

Chief Veterinary Officer announced widespread inspections in slaughterhouses across the country. The European Commission has announced it will send its experts to Poland to investigate the case.