A press release (6 December 2008) by the FSAI reported that all Irish pork and bacon products produced since September 2008 had been recalled.

“The Government today announced that laboratory results of animal feed and pork fat samples obtained this afternoon by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed the presence of dioxins.

“Consequently, the FSAI is requiring the food industry to recall from the market all Irish pork products produced from pigs slaughtered in Ireland.

“This recall involves retailers, the hospitality sector and the Irish pig processing sector. Preliminary evidence indicates that the contamination problem is likely to have started in September 2008.

“The FSAI is advising consumers, as a precautionary measure, not to consume Irish pork and bacon products at this time. Investigations involving the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) and the FSAI are continuing to determine the extent of the contamination and to identify the processors and products involved.

“The FSAI and DAFF will provide updates as information becomes available.”

There have been all sorts of initiatives in the last couple of years aimed at getting kids to eat more healthily. Jamie Oliver’s campaign about school dinners has been perhaps the most prominent, but there have been plenty of others.

Not to be outdone, the Food Standards Agency has teamed up with two English Premier League football clubs on local community initiatives targeting children who play football.

“Something To Chew On” is an initiative to help teach 7-8 year olds the basics of food, nutritition and exercise as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. It’s run by the Manchester United Foundation and funded by the FSA together with the Premier League/PFA Community Fund. Parents will also be involved, to ensure that the classroom lessons are reinforced at home.

Meanwhile, down in North London, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation are running “What’s Cooking? Kick & Cook” for 11-14 year olds at five secondary schools in the London Borough of Haringey. Here the youngsters will be cooking recipes suggested by various Spurs players and catering staff – a DVD’s been produced so that they can see how it’s done.

You can read more about the two schemes in the FSA's press release.

If you’re feeling jaded with Chinese, tired of Thai and past caring about pasta, then the seventh annual British Food Fortnight could be just what you need to revive your interest in food.

Conceived in 2002 as a flagship event to draw attention to the many food initiatives, projects and events across Britain, the BFF is, according to its organisers, “the definitive national celebration of our regional foods and drinks, and the health benefits and pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce”. During the fortnight, thousands of businesses in the food industry, and thousands of schools, receive free information on how to make the most of British produce, and numerous promotional events take place in all kinds of places, from restaurants and pubs to schools and retirement homes.

The website is full of all sorts of useful information, including a clickable map listing several events around the country (although there doesn’t seem to be very much for Scotland and Northern Ireland – just one event between the two of them), and recipes and guides to what’s best to buy in spring, summer, autumn and winter.

You can find out more about the festival by visiting the British Food Fortnight website.