THE Scottish Government has dismissed concerns horsemeat might be finding its way into school meals, as a campaign group led by Scottish celebrity chef Nick Nairn called for better transparency.

The Scottish Government insisted all beef for schools was 100% traceable.

The Menteith Group, the food standards campaign group founded by Nairn, demanded reassurances.

The chef said: "With fewer and fewer schools having working kitchens, the worry is that processed foods are being supplied which may not be what they say they are. The Scottish Government must act quickly to reassure people that the food served is untainted."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Beef purchased for schools is good quality, fresh or frozen, 100% traceable and requires independent inspections accredited to high standards."