At least 750 metric tons (1.65 million pounds) of horsemeat have been surreptitiously substituted for beef in prepared meals shipped throughout Europe and even parts of Asia, according to French authorities.

French food manufacturer Spanghero has been named the prime suspect in the meat-switching scandal, which involves meat from at least 2,500 equids originating in Romania. Frozen prepared beef meals in Hong Kong were determined to contain horsemeat last week, extending the scandal to Asia, according to French news sources. Recalled products and seized raw meat have been discarded in mass quantities. Spanghero was allowed to reopen for limited business Wednesday (Feb. 20) under close scrutiny after a four-day shutdown by federal officials.

Romanian officials have claimed that the meat was correctly labeled upon export. However, a new investigation by veterinary and animal health authorities revealed Wednesday that 100 kg (220 pounds) of Romanian horsemeat had been incorrectly labeled as beef by a Bucharest trader, Reuters news service reported. The meat was not intended for export.

Romanian road laws, which limit cart horses’ access to main roads, are not to blame, though, despite numerous media reports to the contrary, according to one Romanian veterinary professor. "The new road laws have not had important consequences on horse welfare, since local communities were obliged to build new, alternative roads for carts," said Gheorghe Solcan, PhD, professor and vice dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Iasi, located in northwestern Romania