The Food Safety Commission yesterday assured consumers all beef imported from Ireland is safe for consumption.

The Irish Food Safety Authority informed the commission there was no need to seize all beef from the market following fears that the product possessed high levels of polychlorinated biphenyl.

Irish beef was being monitored after the food scare spread from pork to beef.

Beef farms became embroiled in the scare that has devastated Ireland's pork industry as cancer-causing dioxins were found in 11 cattle herds tested.

Since dioxins were first found in Irish pork, products were recalled from 21 countries. Over 1,700 pork factory workers lost their jobs only three days into the crisis.

Maltese consumers have been advised not to consume Irish pork and bacon products at this time as a precautionary measure, although the tainted products are not likely to have reached the local market.

The authorities said yesterday all tests carried out on beef have ruled out any contamination.