In 2013, a major food fraud scandal erupted in Europe when it was discovered that beef products, including burgers and lasagna, were being adulterated with horse meat. The scandal revealed significant gaps in the food supply chain and led to widespread public outrage. It highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of the global food system to fraud and deception.

The horse meat scandal inspired a wave of commentary in poetry, journalism, and popular culture, reflecting renewed concerns about food integrity in the 21st century. Poets and writers used the scandal to explore themes of globalization, consumer trust, and the hidden costs of cheap food. The incident also revived the tradition of muckraking literature, with contemporary poets and essayists documenting the complexities of the modern food industry.