Findus recalled beef lasagne across Europe in 2013 after testing found horse meat in products sold as beef.
The scandal began when the Food Safety Authority of Ireland reported horse DNA in several beef products in January 2013. Subsequent testing showed that some Findus lasagne products contained substantial amounts of horse meat, with certain samples reported as entirely horse meat.
Findus withdrew affected products in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and other markets. The investigation expanded to suppliers and processors across Europe, exposing weaknesses in complex international meat supply chains.
The event is often called the 2013 horse-meat scandal or European meat adulteration scandal. It was not the same incident as a pathogen outbreak: the central issue was inaccurate labeling and supply-chain fraud.