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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Italy recalls tainted mozzarella | Italy recalls tainted mozzarella |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The Italian government has recalled from sale the mozzarella cheese linked to dioxin contamination. | The Italian government has recalled from sale the mozzarella cheese linked to dioxin contamination. |
| Italy's health ministry said the affected cheese came from 25 producers in the Campania region near Naples, where buffalo mozzarella is made. | Italy's health ministry said the affected cheese came from 25 producers in the Campania region near Naples, where buffalo mozzarella is made. |
| France has now lifted a ban on sales of Italian buffalo mozzarella. In the UK, officials said there was no immediate risk to consumers. | France has now lifted a ban on sales of Italian buffalo mozzarella. In the UK, officials said there was no immediate risk to consumers. |
| The European Commission says it is "satisfied" with Italy's measures. | The European Commission says it is "satisfied" with Italy's measures. |
| A Commission health spokeswoman, Nina Papadoulaki, signalled that a threatened EU embargo would not be necessary. | A Commission health spokeswoman, Nina Papadoulaki, signalled that a threatened EU embargo would not be necessary. |
| "The Commission is satisfied with the progress made and continues its intensive contacts with the Italian authorities," she said on Friday. | "The Commission is satisfied with the progress made and continues its intensive contacts with the Italian authorities," she said on Friday. |
| She added that the dioxin levels found in the Italian case "are not excessive". | She added that the dioxin levels found in the Italian case "are not excessive". |
| Earlier, Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said his government was taking "the steps agreed with the European Union to withdraw from the market products that do not comply with standards." | Earlier, Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said his government was taking "the steps agreed with the European Union to withdraw from the market products that do not comply with standards." |
| Buffalo herds produce the best milk for mozzarellaThe contamination emerged during checks last week. Dioxins, which can cause cancer, were found at higher than permitted levels at some mozzarella producers. | Buffalo herds produce the best milk for mozzarellaThe contamination emerged during checks last week. Dioxins, which can cause cancer, were found at higher than permitted levels at some mozzarella producers. |
| The affected cheese is the finest traditional variety, made from buffalo milk. | The affected cheese is the finest traditional variety, made from buffalo milk. |
| The French agriculture ministry on Friday ordered shops to withdraw the imported buffalo mozzarella as a precautionary measure. But it later reversed the decision. | The French agriculture ministry on Friday ordered shops to withdraw the imported buffalo mozzarella as a precautionary measure. But it later reversed the decision. |
| Italy says it has traced the farms at the source of the contamination, and destroyed their milk. | Italy says it has traced the farms at the source of the contamination, and destroyed their milk. |
| Japan and South Korea imposed an import ban on the cheese. | Japan and South Korea imposed an import ban on the cheese. |
| Suspect rubbish dumps | Suspect rubbish dumps |
| In the UK, the Food Standards Agency said: "We are currently not aware of any contaminated buffalo mozzarella being distributed in the UK. | In the UK, the Food Standards Agency said: "We are currently not aware of any contaminated buffalo mozzarella being distributed in the UK. |
| "However, we take any risk very seriously and are currently talking to Italian authorities about this issue." | "However, we take any risk very seriously and are currently talking to Italian authorities about this issue." |
| The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the mozzarella industry is very profitable, employing 20,000 people, with an annual turnover of nearly 315m euros ($500m; £250m). | The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the mozzarella industry is very profitable, employing 20,000 people, with an annual turnover of nearly 315m euros ($500m; £250m). |
| Market experts expect sales to recover once the contamination is rectified, because the traditional mozzarella is so popular, he says. | Market experts expect sales to recover once the contamination is rectified, because the traditional mozzarella is so popular, he says. |
| Italian officials told the European Commission that 130 mozzarella production sites had been checked and dioxins above the EU limit had been found at 25 of them. | Italian officials told the European Commission that 130 mozzarella production sites had been checked and dioxins above the EU limit had been found at 25 of them. |
| Police are investigating whether feed given to herds around the city of Naples was tainted. | Police are investigating whether feed given to herds around the city of Naples was tainted. |
| It is believed the cause is toxic waste, illegally dumped by criminals on agricultural land used for pasture. | It is believed the cause is toxic waste, illegally dumped by criminals on agricultural land used for pasture. |
| Mozzarella is big business in Italy, with herds of a quarter of a million buffalo producing a total of 33,000 tonnes of mozzarella cheese each year, 16% of which is exported. | Mozzarella is big business in Italy, with herds of a quarter of a million buffalo producing a total of 33,000 tonnes of mozzarella cheese each year, 16% of which is exported. |