Safety of buffalo mozzarella from the Campania Region

07/04/2008 - With regard to the detection of dioxin-positive milk and buffalo mozzarella samples in some areas of the Campania Region, the Italian Authorities have provided extensive information on the measures taken to isolate the problem, to prevent the spreading of risk and to guarantee consumers’ safety (see below the press release of the Italian Ministry of Health of 27th March).

The initiatives taken by the Italian Health Authorities have been considered satisfactory by the European Commission, which has stated that there is no reason for further action at EU level (see below the press release of the European Commission of 28th March).

It is worth noting that only a minimal proportion of the production of Italian buffalo mozzarella from the Campania Region has been affected and that the detected dioxin levels were only slightly higher than allowed.

There is no indication that any of the products concerned has been exported abroad. Furthermore, a rigorous system for the withdrawal of such products from the Italian market has been put in place.

It must also be underlined that the greatest part of buffalo mozzarella produced in the Campania Region bears the DOP designation (Denomination of Protected Origin), and, as such, is subject to specific processing standards approved by the EU, including regular dioxin tests. 


Italian Ministry of Health
Press release 27 March 2008

Dioxin in Mozzarella. The 83 Factories Potentially at Risk Have Been Seized and Isolated. Authorities Enacted New Food Safety Guidelines over the Production of the Whole Campania Region.

On March 26th, a special meeting was held at the Ministry of Health to verify the measures adopted to further guarantee consumers’ safety following the detection of dioxin-positive milk and buffalo mozzarella samples in some areas of the Campania region.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agricultural Policies, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Campania Region, the Superior Institute of Health, the Zooprofilactic Institutes of Portici and Teramo as well as the Carabinieri of "Nas" and "Noe".

The dioxin-positive cases have been detected during the regular monitoring programmes carried out from October 2007 to February 2008.

The monitoring showed dioxin concentrations slightly above the limit allowed by European law in milk and mozzarella analyzed at 25 out of the 130 cheese factories checked.

Right after the finding, the Government quickly identified the 83 agricultural companies which supplied the 25 cheese factories where the contamination was detected. These companies were isolated to prevent the spreading of risk while waiting for the results of the analysis which will determine the actual origin of the dioxin-contaminated milk.

These well-timed actions prevented the distribution of risky raw materials and have also allowed a constant monitoring of the cheese factories involved.

These measures are aimed at guaranteeing the safety of the current production which is in any case being subjected to extraordinary monitoring.

As for the alarm spread in the last few days by news stories from foreign media and from the European Commission itself, the Italian authorities are providing information to the Embassies of the Countries involved and to the European institutions. The Italian authorities are also extending guarantees about the health and safety of Italian food products in general and of buffalo mozzarella from the Campania region in particular, which, as it is well known, is a DOP (Denomination of Protected Origin) product and, as such, must follow specific processing standards approved by the EU.

It is worth noting that even this isolated episode shows the effectiveness and the quality of the Italian monitoring system for food health and safety, which made it possible to promptly isolate the contaminated products while at the same time providing the public with transparent and timely information. 



European Commission
Press release 28 March 2008

Mozzarella dioxin contamination contained in Italy

The Italian Minister of Health today assured the European Commission that the Italian authorities are taking further measures to prevent the entrance into the EU market of dairy products containing higher than the permissible levels of dioxin, following the incident with dioxin-contaminated mozzarella cheese in the region of Campania.

The Commission has been informed that controls in Campania have been intensified, that further inspections are carried out in the establishments where dioxin was found with the purpose of trace-back and recall action, which has already begun, and that systematic checks are performed in all dairy establishments located in Campania, with a particular focus on the Provinces of Caserta, Napoli and Avellino.

The Italian authorities have requested the support of the Commission to identify the laboratory network which will carry out the specific tests. The two sides are also engaged in further technical discussions to refine the control programme.

The Commission is satisfied with the progress made and continues its intensive contacts with the Italian authorities. Taking into account the information given by the Italian government today there is no reason for further action at EU level.

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