Italy recalls contaminated mozzarella cheese

Brussels: Italy has recalled mozzarella cheese made by companies where samples were found contaminated by cancer-causing dioxins, the European Commission said on Friday.

"We had confirmation that the Italians have withdrawn mozzarella from the 25 companies which was found to be contaminated," a Commission official said.

Italy also said it will carry out "constant monitoring" of production sites. Tests have shown that 83 dairy farms in Campania, Italy, have produced contaminated milk.

Japan and South Korea have already stopped imports of mozzarella. France, meanwhile, ordered its shops on Friday to stop selling mozzarella cheese from Campania.

The agriculture minister said in a statement that the mozzarella, made from buffalo milk, would be withdrawn from the shelves immediately "as a precautionary measure".