Horse meat

In 2002, the 14 principal horse meat producing countries, led by China, produced 700,000 tonnes of horse meat http://www.mhr-viandes.com/en/docu/docu/d9000110.htm. 153,000 tonnes of horse meat was consumed in Europe in 2001 http://www.mhr-viandes.com/en/docu/docu/d0000698.htm. A popular myth is that horse meat is relatively tough and sinewy. In reality it is tender (although generally less so than beef), low in fat and high in protein; something that has led to its popularity amongst body builders. In simple terms you could consider a horse to be a fast running cow.

Related Topics:
2002 - Horse - China - 2001 - Beef

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In the late palaeolithic (Magdalenian) wild horses formed an important source of food. In pre-Christian times, horse meat was eaten in northern Europe as part of Teutonic religious ceremonies, particularly those associated with the worship of Odin.

Related Topics:
Magdalenian - Teutonic - Odin

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According to legend, the French taste for horse meat dates from the Battle of Eylau in 1807, when the surgeon-in-chief of Napoleon's Grand Army, Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey, advised the starving troops to eat the flesh of dead battlefield horses. The cavalry used breastplates as cooking pans and gunpowder as seasoning, and thus founded a tradition.

Related Topics:
Battle of Eylau - 1807 - Napoleon - Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey

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During World War II, due to the low supply and high price of beef, the state of New Jersey legalised the sale of horse meat. At war's end, the state again prohibited such sale (some say in response to pressure from the beef lobby). Although people in the United States of America rarely eat horse meat, around 50,000 horses are slaughtered each year in two abbatoirs in Texas for export to Europe, Mexico or Japan. Horse meat produced in the US is sold to zoos for carnivore feeding, due to its high protein content. 1986 Kentucky Derby winner and 1987 horse of the year, Ferdinand, is believed to have been slaughtered in Japan http://horsesdaily.com/news/racing/2003/07-21-derbywinner-ferdinand.html.

Related Topics:
World War II - New Jersey - Beef - United States of America - Texas - Zoo - Carnivore - 1986 - Kentucky Derby - 1987

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A Food Standards Agency (FSA) 2003 investigation has revealed that salami and chorizo on sale in the UK sometimes contain horse and donkey meat, without being mentioned on the food label—despite being legally required to do so.

Related Topics:
Food Standards Agency - 2003 - Salami - Chorizo - Donkey

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Meat from (injured) horses that vets have put down with a lethal injection is not used for consumption: the carcasses of such animals are cremated. However just like milking cows that are no longer useful, horses are slaughtered when they can no longer work.

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Horse meat has had somewhat of a resurgence in popularity in Europe and Canada in recent years as horses are not susceptible to BSE (mad cow disease).

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