FSA warns on Irish pork

Related tags Sausage Republic of ireland Food standards agency

Pub should not serve any products made with Irish pork products, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.The agency has urged the withdrawal while...

Pub should not serve any products made with Irish pork products, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.

The agency has urged the withdrawal while it investigates whether any products contaminated with dioxins have been distributed in the UK.

The move follows the Irish government's announcement that it is recalling all pork products made in the Irish Republic since September. Dioxins were found in slaughtered pigs that are thought to have eaten contaminated feed.

As a precaution, the FSA says UK consumers should not eat Irish pork, or products such as sausages, bacon, salami and ham, which are labelled as being from the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland. Pre-prepared dishes such as pizza and sausage rolls are also covered by the ban.

Irish pork is widely used in the foodservice market, and the FSA plans to meet with the UK food industry to investigate possible distribution channels in this country.

The FSA said the move was a precaution. "From the information that we have at this time, we do not believe there is significant risk to UK consumers as adverse health effects from eating the affected products are only likely if people are exposed to relatively high levels of this contaminant for long periods," said a statement.

Dioxins are chemicals associated with a range of health effects when there is long term exposure to them at relatively high levels.

Annual exports of Irish pigmeat are worth €368m to the Irish Republic. Irish food agency Bord Bia said it was working closely with exporters to communicate with customers.

Aidan Cotter, chief executive of Bord Bia, said: "The industry has developed an excellent track record with its customers in overseas markets and Bord Bia's focus now is to ensure these relationships are leveraged effectively as the industry seeks to re-build its market positions into the future."

For more details of products which could be affected, click here: Food Safety Authority of Ireland​.

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