EU food body says no threat from pork

ANYONE eating a normal amount of Irish pork over the past three months will suffer no ill-effects from the dioxin contamination, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The assessment, welcomed by the Department of Agriculture, coincided with that of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). It was discussed by the chief veterinary officers from all EU countries at their meeting in Brussels yesterday when they agreed no further action was necessary.

The European Commission asked EFSA, an independent body set up by the EU and based in Italy, to scientifically assess the risk contaminated Irish pork posed to consumers as a matter of urgency.