On Sunday Irish officials announced that the cancer-causing toxin dioxin was found in some pork products manufactured this autumn.
The Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira, says that Finland imported about 30,000 kilos of pork products from the Irish Republic this autumn. The majority of the recalled products in Finland were sold to restaurants.
Evira says the recall has really only affected one business. The meat was sold to the restaurant chain Subway.
"We have recalled the meat for the safety of consumers. Twelve EU member states were warned by the EU and the Irish Republic about meat products. Finland was not among the 12 countries," said Jaana Husu-Kallio, the director-general of Evira.
Officials at Evira were unable to guarantee that pork products from the Irish Republic did not contain dioxin. Evira communications director Marja Laeslehto adds that Finland has imported far fewer pork products from the Irish Republic than other European countries.
Irish officials found that the level of the cancer-causing substance dioxin was up to 200 times higher than recommended in pork products. Officials speculate that some slaughtered pigs may have ingested the substance from contaminated feed. Irish authorities are currently trying to determine the origin of the contaminated fodder.
Officials add that fodder from the Irish Republic was not imported to Finland this year.
Toxin Also Found in Irish Beef
Irish cattle have tested positive for chemicals which have triggered a cancer scare previously confined to pork, Ireland's farm minister said Tuesday, but insisted the public health risk was minimal.
Brendan Smith said only three cattle herds were above a threshold for dioxins. He said Ireland has decided not to recall any of its beef products at home or abroad.
As of Tuesday evening, Evira said no steps had been taken to remove Irish beef from Finnish shops or restaurants.