The government has banned imports of all pork products from Ireland after dioxin, a carcinogenic chemical, was found in some of them, the country's quality control watchdog said yesterday.

About 2,047 tons of Irish pork products, imported since Sept 1, will be recalled from the market and returned to Ireland, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said on its website.

Contaminated Irish pork could have been imported by up to 25 countries, including China, Irish government officials said on Sunday.