January 13, 2011

Finland imports 5.3 million kg German pork

Millions of kilos of pork have already been shipped to Finland from Germany in the midst of the dioxin scandal.

According to Customs statistics, 5.3 million kilos of German pork, either fresh or frozen, were imported to Finland from Germany in January-September 2010. Germany was by far the largest import country for pork in the period under review, with the value of imports totalling EUR22.8 million (US$35.91 million).

According to Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, the finding of dioxin in a pig in Germany does not yet require any measures to be taken in Finland. According to reports, no pork with high levels of dioxin has reached the food chain.

Evira cannot disclose information on who has imported pork from Germany. The meat has been sold to retail chains and some meat product companies.