HORSEMEAT has not made its way into schools, County Hall has confirmed in the wake of the tainted beef scandal.

The statement follows an ongoing Food Standards Agency probe after equine DNA was discovered in UK meals.

Councillor Frances Button, cabinet member for education, said: “I can reassure pupils and parents that Hertfordshire Catering (which supplies meals to 412 primary schools and 42 secondary school and academies in the county) does not source any products from the suppliers named (to date) and none of their products have been implicated in any of these findings.

“All its meat products are fully traceable and meet all UK standards in meat production.

“Headteachers have been informed and asked to pass this information on to parents. However, Hertfordshire Catering operate a nutritional helpline on 01707 292500 for anyone with concerns about this, or any other issue relating to the food served in their meals.”