Gang sold tons of horse meat like beef and put rotten meat in burgers, Brazilian officials say

(CNN) – A gang of six people accused of stealing horses for slaughter and selling the meat to restaurants disguised as beef was arrested in southern Brazil, according to authorities.

A statement from the Rio Grande do Sul Public Ministry (MPRS) on Thursday said the gang distributed more than 800 kilograms (1,763 pounds) of hidden horse meat per week to restaurants in the Caxias do Sul region. Up to 60% of Area restaurants with beef on the menu had unknowingly bought horse meat disguised as steaks and hamburgers from the gang, public health officials said.

Inspectors also discovered other forms of spoiled meat, including rotten pork and turkey and food scraps from pig feeding establishments. These were mixed into the burgers, according to the statement.

Research in southern Brazil

Officials said an investigation was launched two months ago after the local Agricultural Defense Inspectorate raised the alarm. Forensic tests carried out at restaurants that sell hamburgers in Caxias do Sul confirmed the presence of horse DNA in the food, according to prosecutor Alcindo Bastos, who coordinated the operation.

The six people arrested are also accused of operating an illegal slaughterhouse with poor hygiene, unsanitary conditions and without authorization to process or sell any type of meat.

Judge María Cristina Rech sent the six to pretrial detention pending trial because the gang posed a serious threat to public health, according to MPRS.

Other meat food scandals

The case echoes a food scandal from 2013, in which authorities across Europe discovered the widespread use of horse meat in products labeled as beef.

Many meat eaters in the UK, where horse meat is generally considered taboo, were disgusted with the revelations. Another discovery from that year of pork DNA in beef products was of particular concern to Jews and Muslims, whose dietary laws prohibit eating pork.