EU gives Italian mozzarella the all clear

Mar 28, 2008, 13:08 GMT

Brussels - The European Commission on Friday withdrew its threat to ban Italian mozzarella after receiving assurances from the Italian government that the outbreak of dioxin-contaminated cheeses was being contained.

'Taking into account the information given by the Italian government today there is no reason for further action at EU level,' the European Union's executive said in a statement.

Officials in Brussels said they were satisfied with Rome's efforts to intensify inspections in the establishments where illegally high levels of dioxin were found and to prevent contaminated mozzarella from entering the EU market.

On Thursday, the commission confirmed that high levels of carcinogenic dioxin had been discovered in some mozzarellas coming from Italy's southern region of Campania.

But officials also noted that such levels were 'not excessively higher' than the 3-picogram (1 picogram is equivalent to one trillionth of a gram) limit imposed by EU rules. And they also excluded that any dangerous mozzarella had been exported outside Italy.

Rome has come under intense pressure to allay international fears following an import ban on Italian mozzarella imposed by Japan and South Korea.

The current scare only affects the more expensive variety of mozzarella made with water buffalo milk in Campania.

The EU executive had asked Rome to provide complete information on its response or face a series of measures, ranging from a withdrawal of all products to a complete ban.