The Head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) says he is amazed at the breadth of the world-wide horse meat scandal his organisation uncovered.

Yesterday Swedish furniture giant IKEA withdrew meatballs from sale here in Ireland and in at least 14 other European countries.

It follows the discovery of horse meat in the product by Czech authorities.

In a statement, the company said "We are now initiating further tests on the same production batch in which the Czech Republic authorities found indications of horsemeat".

"We are expecting test results in the coming days and will then be able to give more information" it added.

'Had to think like a criminal'

The FSAI carries out surveillance of the food supply continuously and uncovered horse DNA after they tried to think like a criminal.

Following on from this, horse meat traces have been found in the UK, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and as far away as Asia.

The European Union (EU) has meanwhile approved DNA testing on beef products, along with checks will in abattoirs for the presence of an equine drug 'bute', which is potentially harmful to humans.

The DNA controls are to be carried out mainly at the retail level.

They will include 2,250 samples across the EU ranging from 10 to 150 per member State.

Every 50 tonnes of horse meat will be tested for bute with each of the 27 States required to carry out a minimum of 5 tests over the next month.

CEO of the FSAI is Professor Alan Reilly.

He explained to Tom Dunne here on Newstalk why they launched an investigation in the first place.