D.C.'s Ikea Meatballs Are Horse Meat Free, Say Company Representatives

Should D.C.-area Ikea-shoppers plan to forego meatballs, if they don't want to eat horse meat?

The company says neigh.

After horse meat was found in frozen meatballs sold in Ikea's in 13 countries across Europe and Asia, 1,675 pounds of the food have been pulled from shelves.

The meatballs, sold as Kottbuller in 2.2 pound packs and in store cafes, were found to have horse meat in stores in Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and United Kingdom. Those countries, along with Sweden, have pulled the product.

Customer service representatives at the College Park, Maryland and Woodbridge, Virginia stores told The Huffington Post that D.C.-area IKEA chains have no plans of removing their signature dish from the cafe menu or shelves.

In a statement released Monday, Ikea said that its U.S.-sold meatballs come from a U.S. supplier, and "contain only beef and pork from animals raised in the US and Canada."

Swedish meatballs come 15 per order, and are served with mashed potatoes, cream sauce and lingonberries, for $3.99 at Ikea restaurants.