Susanne Kuehne, Decernis
Food Fraud Quick Bites

Mystery Meatballs

By Susanne Kuehne
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Susanne Kuehne, Decernis

DNA tests reveal meat- and lobster-ball contents were fraudulent.

Meatballs, food fraud
Find records of fraud such as those discussed in this column and more in the Food Fraud Database, owned and operated by Decernis, a Food Safety Tech advertiser. Image credit: Susanne Kuehne

Food fraud is rampant in pre-packaged and non-prepackaged meatballs, according to the Consumer Council in Hong Kong. A DNA investigation of beef meatballs revealed that 60% of samples contained pig derived meat, other samples contained chicken. None of the analyzed lobster ball samples showed any crustacean DNA. Consumers, especially ones with dietary or religious restrictions, are cautioned to check the ingredients lists of pre-packaged meatballs carefully and to be aware the some of the meatballs may contain undesired mystery meat.

Resource

  1. CHOICE Magazine. (January 17, 2022). “Caution for Meatball Lovers — 45 Samples High in Sodium Pig DNA Found in 60% Beef Balls and Beef Tendon Balls Crustacean DNA Absent from All Lobster Balls”. Hongkong Consumer Council.

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Susanne Kuehne, Decernis

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