ular foodstuff in question), in order to ensure that consumers' health is not affected by consuming these products.
Are there maximum levels set for dioxins in feed?
Yes. Separate legislation applies to levels of dioxins and PCBs in animal feeds, since this is another important source of contamination of the human food chain.
What levels were found in the pigmeat?
The samples tested indicated a wide range of dioxin levels, all above the maximum levels set by legislation.
How were the dioxins found?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) discovered the presence of marker PCBs, indicative of dioxin contamination, in pork fat during routine monitoring of the food chain for a range of contaminants. Samples were sent to a laboratory in the UK for further analysis to determine if there were dioxins present. Results have confirmed that dioxins were present in the samples.
Is any routine sampling carried out or was this found by accident?
The FSAI, in collaboration with its official agencies, carries out regular checks on levels of dioxins and PCBs in the food chain. Approximately 70 samples of pig fat are analysed for PCBs annually. Previously, the results of these checks have shown that the levels in Irish food are generally low compared with other industrialised countries.
Are other meat products affected?
Samples of other meats have not tested positive for dioxins to date.
Should consumers be concerned?
Even though it is illegal for dioxins to be present in foodstuffs, any possible risk to consumer health is extremely low.
Do dioxins affect children?
Children are expected to be affected by dioxins in the same way as adults, although they may be more sensitive.
Could I have been exposed to dioxins?
Consumers are exposed to dioxins at low levels on a daily basis from a potentially wide range of sources including car emissions, smoking and fires. Until now, surveillance work undertaken by the FSAI indicates that the general exposure of consumers in Ireland is low when compared to other European countries, and well below the maximum intake established by international risk assessment bodies.
To ensure consumers are fully protected, this maximum intake level also incorporates very large safety margins compared to any level that might cause effects in experimental animals. Therefore, any increased exposure to dioxins for a short period is highly unlikely to lead to any health effects.
If I have eaten an affected product, has my health been damaged?
There is no risk of immediate illness. If you have eaten an affected product the risk is likely to be very small, however not eating it any more is a sensible thing to do. It is continued high level exposure over time that gives cause for concern.
If the risk is very small why are all pork and bacon products removed from sale?
Dioxins are toxic and persistent and consumers should not be exposed to them unnecessarily. It is also illegal in foods.
Could I have some products at home that contain dioxins?
The following products could possibly be contaminated.
- Pork sausages
- Sausage meat
- Gammon steaks
- Offal from pigs
- Sausage rolls
- Black pudding
- White pudding
- Ready meals with Irish pork/bacon as an ingredient
It is advisable to not to eat any products that may be contaminated.
For updates go to the website of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland