UK Faces Largest Smuggled Meat Food Safety Crisis

A series of government reports and parliamentary committee investigations reveal a significant crisis in the UK caused by the illegal importation of meat and dairy products. These smuggled goods, often unrefrigerated and unhygienically stored, bypass rigorous quality checks and pose major risks of foodborne illnesses from bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as well as the spread of animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease. In 2024 alone, authorities seized 235 tons of smuggled meat and dairy, but this is believed to be only a fraction of the total illegal trade, which is driven by organized criminal smuggling operations exploiting weaker border controls post-Brexit. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee highlighted the inadequate resources, leadership, and inspection facilities at ports such as Dover, resulting in serious vulnerabilities in UK food security and public health. Experts warn that the UK is effectively 'sleepwalking' into its biggest food safety crisis since the 2013 horsemeat scandal, with illegal meat infiltrating high streets, markets, farms, and restaurants across the country. Calls have been made for stronger government action and investment to address this growing threat to food safety, animal welfare, and the economy.