Nearly all of the results are within expected ranges and indicate that foods from these areas don't pose a risk to public health

Suzi Leather

Dioxins are widespread in nature, but at high levels they have been linked to cancer and to retarded sexual development.

The Food Standards Agency has carried out tests had been completed on a third of 180 samples of food produced near to where slaughtered animals were burned.

The results show that dioxins were not present at levels high enough to pose a risk to human health.

Tests were carried out on samples from Anglesey, Cornwall, Cumbria, South Wales, Dumfries and Galloway and Devon.

The samples included milk, hen eggs, duck eggs, chickens, cheese, butter, soil and herbage.

Significant tests

For the first time, tests were carried out on milk samples from cattle that had been grazing for four to six weeks.

This period is important because this is when we would expect any high accumulations of dioxins to appear.

The tests showed no increase in levels of dioxins.

Probes are continuing at two sites, but the FSA said these were local problems in produce not meant for the food chain.

Food Standards Agency deputy chair Suzi Leather said: "In general the situation across the UK is reassuring.

"Nearly all of the results are within expected ranges and indicate that foods from these areas don't pose a risk to public health.

"There have been two exceptions to date, in Wales and in Scotland, which are subject to further investigations.

"These appear to be a localised problem and were not intended for the food chain."

Full results of the FSA testing programme are expected at the end of July.