Emerging incident involving presence of dioxins in Irish pork meat
Tuesday 9 December 2008
Food Alert: for Action
Ref: 74/2008
The Republic of Ireland has recalled all Irish pork meat/products produced from pigs slaughtered in Ireland from 1 September 2008 due to contamination of animal feed with dioxins.
Dioxins are chemicals that get into food from the environment and are associated with a range of health effects when there is a long-term exposure to them at relatively high levels.
The Agency has been actively gathering information to identify both the processors and the products involved that have been distributed to the UK. To date we have identified five processing establishments in the Republic of Ireland that have received the contaminated pork (see Annexe 1* at the link below) and supplied to premises in the UK. In addition, 12 processing establishments in Northern Ireland have been identified as potentially receiving contaminated pork from the Republic of Ireland (see Annexe 2 at the link below) and investigations are ongoing by district councils with responsibility with these establishments.
As new information becomes available the Agency will issue updates to this alert.
Actions to be taken by local authorities
All pork meat/products originating from the Republic of Ireland should be withdrawn from the distribution chain, if necessary, using the powers under the Food Safety Act 1990.
To assist local authorities in identifying the UK companies in receipt of pork meat from the Republic of Ireland, details can be found in Annexe 1 at the link below.
Investigations continue with regards to the 12 meat processors in Northern Ireland, as listed in Annexe 2 at the link below, to establish whether the contaminated pork meat from the Republic of Ireland has been processed in these establishments. Until such time that this has been determined, all pork meat/products from these establishments should be placed on hold and origin confirmed.
If food business operators can demonstrate that their product does not include implicated product from the Republic of Ireland, it can be released onto the market in agreement with their local authority.
It has been confirmed that pig farms in Northern Ireland have not been in receipt of the contaminated feed, therefore, pork derived exclusively from Northern Ireland pigs are not affected by this food alert.
Other local authorities are also requested to have regard to these products being present on the market during their routine inspections.
It is essential that all non unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions. Those establishments under the Meat Hygiene Service have been contacted.
*The list of companies in the UK in receipt of pork products from processors in the Republic of Ireland has changed since being published
Related links
(pdf 18KB) (pdf 17KB)