Chemical waste close to entering domestic food chain

PHARMACEUTICAL waste which was exported to Belgium was nearly reintroduced into the Irish food chain.

Traces of MPA, chemical waste left over from the production of hormone replacement treatment tablets, were detected in a Dutch shipment of molasses two weeks ago. Molasses is used in animal feed.

It has emerged that the 10,000-tonne shipment of condensed molasses solubles (CMS) was contaminated by waste which originated at the Kildare pharmaceutical facility of Wyeth Medica Ireland.