A limited amount of evidence shows that meat and milk from cloned cattle and pigs are safe to eat, the European Union's Food Safety Authority said Thursday.

The EFSA noted in a report on the implications of animal cloning that the procedure also poses health risks for animals.

"It is clear there are significant animal health and welfare issues for surrogate mothers and clones that can be more frequent and severe than for conventionally bred animals," the EFSA said in a statement. "For cattle and pigs, food safety concerns are considered unlikely."

The EFSA said there were uncertainties in its risk assessment as relatively few studies have been conducted. It also noted studies that have been completed have relied on small sample sizes, and that the health and welfare of clones should continue to be monitored.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in its final risk assessment that meat and milk from cloned animals are safe to consume.

FDA researchers collected data on more than 600 U.S. cloned animals and their offspring.

Scientists examined a range of considerations, including size, health, blood characteristics and behaviour of cloned animals, according to the report.

The study also said nutrient levels in meat and milk from cloned animals were comparable to traditionally bred animals.