Emerging incident involving presence of dioxins in Irish pork meat (update 1)

Thursday 11 December 2008

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 74/2008 (Update 1)

The Agency has updated information relating to the Food Alert for Action 74/2008 issued on 9 December 2008 concerning the Republic of Ireland recall of all pork meat/products produced from pigs slaughtered in the Republic of 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.

Following on from further investigations and based on the statement from the European Food Safety Authority, the authorities in the Republic of Ireland have amended their policy regarding the recall of all pork meat from the Republic of Ireland.

The revised advice regarding the Republic of Ireland pork and pork products made from pigs slaughtered in Republic of Ireland from 1 September to 7 December 2008, now requires the following:

Where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Competent Authorities that pork, pork products and composite pork products made from pigs slaughtered in the Republic of Ireland and currently detained, did not come from the restricted herds and were not exposed to contaminated feed these can be released for sale.
Composite food products, such as pizza, sandwiches, meat sauces, etc, and meat products containing Republic of Ireland pig meat and fat slaughtered between 1 September 2008 and 7 December 2008 with a total percentage up to 20% should be excluded from the withdrawal and released to the market.
Both composite products and meat products containing Republic of Ireland pig meat and fat, from animals slaughtered in the Republic of Ireland from 1 September to 7 December 2008, with a total percentage above 20% have been withdrawn from the market and detained. Representative samples will be taken and tested. Only if an analytical test shows compliance with the EU dioxin legislation, can these products be placed on the market again.
Republic of Ireland pork and pork products produced prior to the 1 September and after the 7 December are not subject to the recall or these restrictions.

The Food Standards Agency is intending to reflect this course of action for the UK.

Actions to be taken by local authorities

Revised actions

All pork meat/products originating from the Republic of Ireland should now be treated in accordance with the above guidance, if necessary, using the powers under the Food Safety Act 1990.
To assist local authorities in identifying consignments of meat that did not originate from affected herds the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Republic of Ireland, as the competent authority, is issuing certification verifying that the meat did not originate from a restricted herd during the affected period. Food Business Operators should be able to demonstrate receipt of this certification to their local authority.
To assist local authorities in identifying the UK companies in receipt of pork meat from the affected herds in from the Republic of Ireland, details can be found in the updated Annexe 1 attached to this food alert.
Pork, pork products and composite products prepared exclusively from pigs reared in Northern Ireland are not included within the scope of this Food Alert. Such products are not subject to any restriction in the context of this incident.

Disposal arrangements

Pork Meat originating from affected herds should be disposed of as Category 1 Animal By Products material.
Composite products irrespective of source that contain pork meat less then 20% and require disposal should be disposed of as Category 3 Animal By Products material.
Composite products irrespective of source containing more than 20% pork meat that failed the requested dioxin test should be disposed of as Category 1 Animal By Products material.
Other products containing pork meat that does not originate from affected herds but has been removed from sale and requires disposal can be treated as Category 3 Animal By Product material.

It is essential that all non unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions. Those establishments under Meat Hygiene Service supervision have been contacted.

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Emerging incident involving presence of dioxins in Irish pork meat (update 1)

Actions to be taken by local authorities

Disposal arrangements

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