An expert group has been set up by the Scottish Government to consider what can be learned from the horsemeat scandal.

It was established as a consultation was launched on a new independent food safety body, Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said.

Local authorities were asked to withhold all frozen beef products after a frozen burger supplied to Cumbernauld High School in North Lanarkshire was found to contain horse DNA.

Mr Matheson told MSPs that by the end of the day all but one inspection of premises manufacturing meat products would be completed, with no evidence to date of horsemeat food fraud discovered.

A group led by former chief vet Professor Jim Scudamore will consider any lessons learned from the scandal before the establishment of the food safety body, Mr Matheson said.

The group will include representatives from consumer protection, the meat industry, food retail and enforcement. It has been asked to recommend improvements in the food safety regime.

Mr Matheson said: "The expert group will identify any lessons from this horsemeat scandal so that we can improve the food safety and standards regime in the future.

"The scandal has made it clear that a single independent public body should have clear responsibility for all aspects of food safety and standards. Our vision for Scotland's new food body is that its primary focus will be consumer protection."