Pork Meat Recall

On Saturday, December 6th 2008, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued a food alert concerning all Irish-produced pork meat and pork meat products.

In an analysis performed by Irish authorities in November 2008, chemicals (non-dioxin-like PCBs) were identified in Irish pork meat.This indicated that possibly more dangerous chemicals (dioxin-like PCBs) might be present in the meat constituting a potential danger to human health.

A laboratory analysis that was carried out in the UK confirmed these suspicions, indicating that a limited amount of pork meat in Ireland may contain 80 to 200 times the safe levels for dioxin-like PCBs.

Subsequently all Irish-produced pork meat and all products containing Irish-produced pork meat were recalled or withdrawn from the market. Customers are urged not to consume any such product if it was produced before the 1st September 2008.

The nature of the chemicals found in pork meat is such, that short-term exposure of weeks or months even to higher than safe levels is not regarded to be damaging to health! Since it is not possible to safely identify contaminated meat, consumers are advised not to consume any Irish-produced pork meat top reduce exposure to these chemicals.

A Consumer Helpline has been installed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Helpline Telephone: (1890) 33 66 77


More information: http://www.mkrms.com/pub/MKRMS-Pork Meat Recall December 2008.html