ROME, March 28 (UPI) -- The Italian government has recalled mozzarella cheese from 25 cheese companies in the Naples region after dioxin was found in some samples.
The government also temporarily closed down 83 farms where the buffalo and cow milk for the cheese was produced. Officials said none of the cheese involved had been exported, Euronews.net reported Friday.
The dioxin contamination is suspected to be linked to a garbage crisis in the Naples region, although some scientists said it likely came from contaminated feed, the Italian news agency ANSA said.
European Commission spokeswoman Nina Papadoulaki said the commission was satisfied with the measures taken by the Italian government.
A number of countries have blocked the import of Italian mozzarella. Producers said the dioxin scare has cut mozzarella cheese sales by 30 percent.
