Italy finds irregularities in production of buffalo mozzarella

January 21, 2010, Rome – Agriculture authorities say samples of one of Italy's most
prized culinary delicacies, buffalo mozzarella, were found to be
below production standards.

The authorities say the samples of the cheese presented no health
risk, but contained dairy cow milk when only buffalo milk should be
used.

Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia says he suspended the head of the
consortium of buffalo mozzarella makers in Campania, the southern
region where most of the cheese is made.

News reports said Wednesday that about a quarter of the 530
samples tested by authorities had shown traces of cow milk.

Tests in 2008 at hundreds of mozzarella factories uncovered high
levels of dioxin in some samples of buffalo milk.