Kits to test for the presence of horse meat in food products will be arriving on the Isle of Man in the next few days.

Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne admitted the public's confidence in the content of food products had been "shattered" in recent weeks.

In Tynwald this morning North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson asked what action the department was taking to ensure that beef products on sale on the Island didn't contain anything other than beef and have no other harmful substances.

Mr Gawne told the court his department had been liasing with retailers and wholesalers as soon as they were made aware of any product withdrawals and further sampling on the Island has been taking place.