10 December 2008
Advice regarding dioxins in Irish pork
Following recent media coverage of dioxins being found in pork and pork products from the Republic of Ireland and the decision by several supermarkets to voluntarily remove these foods from shelves, Trading Standards officers at Bridgend County Borough Council and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are offering advice and guidance to local consumers.
While investigations into whether any contaminated products have been distributed in the UK are continuing, consumers have been advised not to eat pork or pork products such as sausages, bacon, salami and ham which are labelled as being from the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is working with food safety bodies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to ascertain the extent of the problem and is in contact with industry representatives.
The source of the dioxin is thought to have been pig feed that had been tainted with oil. Chronic long-term exposure to dioxins can have serious health effects and is linked to some cancers. However, Trading Standards officers are reassuring local consumers that the risk to health is very low.
From the information available at this time, it is not believed that there is a significant risk to UK consumers.
Consumers are advised not to worry if they think they may have eaten affected products as ill health is only likely if people are exposed to relatively high levels of this contaminant over long periods of time.
The FSA will make more information available as the extent of the contamination becomes apparent.
- Last Updated: 11/12/2008
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