November 22, 2013

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) revealed that DNA tests on 300 bacon products from various supermarkets have found that some 'Irish' rashers were from imported pig meat.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) accused retailers and meat companies of misleading consumers by using labels that imply their products are Irish. The IFA revealed that tests had shown that half of them were sliced from imported pig meat.

Love Irish Food, which is a marketing body for Irish-made products, has said it is "extremely disappointed" with the findings.

DNA tests carried out by genetic specialists Identigen proved the meat did not match the DNA profiles in a database of every boar in the Republic of Ireland, meaning it must have been imported.

The IFA said DNA tests on 300 samples of pork and bacon products found that 52% of the products were not Irish. The Association stressed that this was not technically illegal but highlighted bizarre labelling regulations which allow imported meat to be labelled as produced in Ireland if it is cured or processed here.

The label on the packet of Smoked Back Rashers made by J Crowe and Son stated it used Irish pork, gave the country of origin as Ireland and had the Love Irish Food logo – but genetic tests showed the meat was imported. A spokesperson for J Crowe & Sons apologised immediately.

The IFA wants changes to labelling rules to ensure the country where the animal is raised is shown on the packet. It said that tests on bacon with the Bord Bia quality assured label had shown this meat was actually of Irish origin and consumers could trust it.