IKEA horse meat scandal: Czech authority detects horse meat in IKEA brand meat balls

[Tiberius]

The difference is, Kichi, that horses are not generally bred for food, and so the sources of the horsemeat were more likely to be horses which were old or had to be put down. Such horses are often given the painkiller phenylbutazone (bute) which is dangerous for humans in large doses. Cows that are bred for slaughter are not given these drugs.

This wasn't some case where good, healthy horsemeat was mixed up with beef. It is becoming clearer over the course of the investigation that this is the result of organised crime / corruption.

Source: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/February/Pag...afety.aspx