Tainted Irish pork may have reached 25 countries

Contaminated Irish pig meat may have been exported to up to 25 countries, Ireland’s chief vet said Sunday, as shops at home and abroad cleared pork from their shelves amid fears of a cancer link.

"We believe it’s in the order of 20 to 25 countries. It’s certainly less than 30," Paddy Rogan said in comments quoted by the Irish media.

His remarks came after ministers Saturday ordered all pig meat products from the Republic of Ireland to be withdrawn as dioxins, which may cause cancer, were found in slaughtered pigs thought to have eaten contaminated feed.

The recall involved products processed since September 1 and has caused panic in the Emerald Isle, where many families would have been buying their traditional Christmas ham in the coming days.