THE FOOD Safety Authority and the Government have moved swiftly to deal with a serious threat to the food industry by recalling all contaminated pork products; issuing an international alert and advising consumers to dispose of any bacon, sausages or other pig-related materials they have in their homes. The speed of the response and the universal nature of the recall are expected to minimise damage to the pig industry by reassuring consumers that their interests come first.
It is important to emphasise that these are precautionary measures. The high level of dioxins in the form of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that were discovered in pork products last week can, indeed, cause damage to your health. But exposure would need to be over a period of years and at very elevated levels before warning signs, such as skin lesions, would appear. Reproductive disorders and cancers can also develop in exceptionally severe poisoning cases, such as happened following an explosion at a chemical plant in Seveso, Italy, in 1976. But public health experts have offered reassurances that the risk to consumers here is very low.
Investigations are under way to establish how animal feed which was the source of this outbreak became contaminated. It is known that a single, licensed meal plant was involved. And sub-standard oil containing PCBs was probably used in the manufacturing process. Some nine pig-producing farms were supplied with the dangerous feedstuff on this side of the Border. Subsequently, dioxin levels between 80 and 200 times higher than recommended safe limits were found in pork products. Contaminated feedstuff was also supplied to farms in Northern Ireland and to 38 farms engaged in beef production here. Cattle at those locations have been isolated and tests are being conducted. But because of differing feeding regimes, similar problems may not arise. Product monitoring should, however, be intensified.
Food safety affects us all, whether as customers, producers or exporters. Consumer confidence in the quality and safety of the victuals being offered for sale can make or break an industry. Failure by the Belgian government to respond quickly and effectively to the use of dioxin-contaminated feedstuff in its pork, poultry and beef industries in 1999 brought about its resignation and a collapse in public confidence. All three industries suffered huge losses. And the importation of Belgian food was banned around the world. In spite of that, food alerts involving contamination by dioxins have recurred in Belgium, most recently last week.
The traceability system imposed on the food production chain by the Department of Agriculture is proving its worth. Not alone can the origin of individual animals be checked quickly and accurately, but the sources of feedstuffs and other likely causes of contamination can also be established, along with details of the processing plants involved. That represents a considerable advance in terms of food safety and consumer confidence. Because of that it is hoped we can still look forward to the traditional Christmas ham.