Caterers advised to remove pork products sourced from Ireland

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised caterers to remove from sale pork products manufactured from 1 September 2008 in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

However, the FSA stressed that the move is purely precautionary as the risk to consumers is "very low".

The FSA has advised consumers not to eat pork - or products where pork is the main ingredient - labelled as being from the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland. This includes food such as sausages, bacon, salami and ham.

Following further enquiries by the Food Safety Authority Ireland, it has been confirmed only ten pig farms in the Republic of Ireland were supplied with feed contaminated with dioxins. Pigs from these farms have been supplied to four processors.

Dr Andrew Wadge, FSA chief scientist, said: ‘The risk to UK consumers is very low. This is because you would need to eat large quantities of the chemical over a long period of time for there to be any risk to your health."

The Agency said it is continuing to monitor the situation and is working closely with the relevant authorities in the Republic of Ireland.

By Daniel Thomas

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