The discovery of rogue horse meat in a wide range of beef products has thrown the European meat industry into disarray in recent weeks.

A Taco Bell spokesman said the company had voluntarily ordered testing of its beef products in light of the scandal affecting other European retailers and food manufacturers.

Opinion: Horse meat scandal shines spotlight on murky horse trade

"Based on that testing, we learned ingredients supplied to us from one supplier in Europe tested positive for horse meat," he said.

The Food Standards Agency released the results Friday of the latest round of testing ordered on products labeled beef across the UK food industry.

So far, more than 99% of tests continue to show no horse DNA at or above the level of 1%, it said.

Horse meat is not harmful in itself but authorities are concerned by its unauthorized presence in case it is tainted with a veterinary drug used to treat horses. Phenylbutazone, also known as bute, is not allowed to enter the food chain because it can pose a risk to humans.

The European Union said last month it intends to begin testing meat across all 27 member states.