THE head of catering at a Darwen school has written to parents to reassure them none of the meals served in the canteen contain horse meat.

Rob Owen, head of school meals at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, said its meat supplier Ewoods Food had voluntarily submitted data to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for sampling.

At present out of 329 tests carried out by the FSA on raw beef products from Ewoods Food all have come back negative for horse DNA.

In the letter dated February 24, Mr Owen said: “All beef dishes used on the academy menu cycle are made fresh in house using beef procured from Ewoods Foods.

“Ewoods are supplied by FA Smith & Sons who are a local family butchers based in Whalley in the Ribble Valley. FA Smith & Sons have also stated that none of their suppliers slaughter, de-bone or process horse meat.

“They therefore confirm that no cross contamination with horse meat can occur.

“Through this traceability we can confirm that no contaminated beef products have been used within the academy.”