10 mln Irish burgers recalled over horsemeat fears

DUBLIN (AP) — An Irish meat processor says it's recalling 10 million burgers from supermarkets across Ireland and Britain because of fears that some could contain horsemeat. Government authorities say Spanish or Dutch ingredients suppliers are suspected of causing the contamination.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny says the suspected source of horsemeat found in one Irish-produced burger was an imported powdered beef protein used to finish budget-grade frozen beef patties. The Food Safety Authority says two suppliers in Spain and the Netherlands provided the ingredient but have declined to identify them as investigations continue.

Silvercrest Foods, Ireland's second-largest processor of beef burgers, said Wednesday it is withdrawing 10 million patties from stores across Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Horsemeat is consumed in many countries in continental Europe but not in Britain or Ireland.