Tesco faces fine of up to CZK 3m over horsemeat

Prague, March 21 (CTK) - The State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) Thursday launched administrative proceedings against retail chain Tesco due to lasagne in which undeclared horsemeat was found instead of beef about a month ago, public broadcaster Czech Television (CT) reported Thursday.

Tesco faces a fine of up to Kc3m, SZPI spokesman Pavel Kopriva said, adding that the fine might be imposed next week.

The lasagne in question was a product of the Nowaco company, but SZPI said the retailer is responsible for the goods it sells.

The scandal of horsemeat passing off as beef emerged in Great Britain and Ireland in January. Products with horsemeat appeared later in many other European countries, including the Czech market.