Nestle withdrew two chilled pasta products, Buitoni Beef Ravioli and Beef Tortellini, in Italy and Spain.

BBC: Nestle removes beef pasta meals after finding horsemeat

"These are chilled pasta products which have a limited shelf life, so inventory levels were quite low, " he said.

WSJ: Nestl�� Pulls Products After Horse Traces Found

The tests covered a range of frozen, chilled or canned products that included lasagne, chilli con carne, cottage pie, ravioli, cannelloni and spaghetti bolognese.

BBC: Horsemeat scandal: Birds Eye withdraws UK ready meals