Group arrested on suspicion of selling horse meat to hamburgers

This Thursday (18) the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul arrested six members of a group suspected of selling meat from illegal slaughter to restaurants in Caxias do Sul. According to the agency, preliminary information indicates that around 60% from the city’s hamburgers purchased the group’s products.

The investigation shows that the group carried out the clandestine slaughter of horses, with subsequent grinding of the meat, and supplied hamburgers and steaks to commercial establishments in Caxias that use ground meat as an ingredient.

According to the MP, the group did not have authorization to slaughter and sell any type of meat and carried out the procedures in places with poor hygiene conditions.

The investigation began after news from the Caxias do Sul Agricultural Defense Inspectorate, which reported the existence of the group’s activities. The suspicions were confirmed after the identification of horse DNA in snacks from two hamburgers in the city. Turkey and pork were also mixed in the process.

Prosecutor Alcindo Bastos, coordinator of the operation, claims that the group distributed around 800 kg of meat weekly.