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It follows allegations reported by trade publication Farmer’s Weekly that the company’s pork products ended up in items such as ready meals, quiches and sandwiches sold by UK supermarkets.

The publication claimed that the meat supplier, who has not been named for legal reasons, sold mislabeled and sometimes rotten pork until at least 2020.

The FSA warned that fraud in the food supply chain could be “on the rise” as a result of runaway cost inflation in the industry.

Andrew Quinn, deputy director of the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit, said: “The FSA’s National Food Crime Unit is conducting a criminal investigation into how a supplier allegedly provided products labeled British when they actually came from America. South and Europe.

“The initial retailer was notified at the same time that the NFCU took action against the food business suspected of fraud.

“We are discussing all new lines of investigation with our partner organizations, including potential food hygiene violations, and taking action where necessary to protect public health.

“At a time when cost pressures and other challenges mean that food fraud risks could be increasing, it is vital that everyone involved in the food chain works to ensure that food is safe and what it says it is.”

On behalf of the affected supermarkets, the British Retail Consortium said: “The role of the Food Standards Agency is to work with retailers to prevent fraud.

“While we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, retailers will support the FSA with their investigation into the individual vendor in question.”

It comes after the NFCU earlier this month said meat and pre-packaged delicatessen from South America and Europe had been supplied to an unidentified supermarket and labeled British.

The NFCU said the retailer in question has now removed all affected products from its shelves.