Update on dioxin contamination in Germany

The FSA is providing further information about the ongoing investigation into the dioxin contamination of poultry and pork farms in Germany.

The German authorities have lifted restrictions on more than 3,500 farms and investigations of the remainder are continuing. We have been informed that levels of dioxins above the legal limit have been found in pigs from two of the restricted farms. However, the levels found would not be a risk to health. At this time, we have been advised that all the animals from the affected farms have been destroyed and that no meat from these animals has entered the food chain.

We have also been informed that some of the potentially contaminated feed from Germany was sent to France and Denmark. We currently have no evidence that any of the feed has been delivered to the UK and the feed industry has confirmed that it is highly unlikely that such feed would be imported from Europe.

We are closely monitoring the situation and met with representatives of the UK food and feed industry on Tuesday 11 January to gather further information and to ensure the industry continues checking that their supplies do not come from potentially contaminated sources. We will continue to provide further updates as information becomes available.