China returns 23 tonnes of Irish pork

Chinese quarantine authorities have seized more than 23 tonnes of frozen Irish pork that was found to be contaminated with dioxin, and have ordered that it be returned.

China's state media is reporting that the pork was imported by a company in the city of Suzhou in October.

Inspectors have sealed the pork and ordered the company to send it back.

China banned the import of Irish pork last month following the dioxin contamination scare here.

Irish pork was pulled from shelves in up to 25 countries, although production and sale of pork approved as safe by Irish authorities restarted shortly afterwards.

China has been beset by food safety scandals in the past few years, including a recent mass contamination of infant formula by the chemical melamine in which at least six babies are believed to have died.