Brussels, 21/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has said that an investigation will be held into 70,000 suspect mozzarella balls from Germany and exported to two other EU member states - Italy and Slovenia - but that there is no need for concern since all EU member states have been informed about these potentially dangerous products.
It would appear certain that these consignments of one of Italy's favourite cheeses, produced in Germany, have been contaminated since it turns blue when the packaging is opened. “The situation is under control. Italy gave notice of the problem on 9 June, and further consignments were found in Slovenia to which they had been exported,” Frédéric Vincent, spokesman for European Health and Consumer Safety Commissioner John Dalli told press on Monday 21 June. He added: “An inspector from the food and veterinary safety office will be sent to Germany to investigate the causes of the contamination since the products come from these countries”. He added that all the other countries of the EU had been informed of the discovery.
According to initial analyses carried out by an Institute in Turin, where suspect consignments were seized, a bacterium, rather than toxic contamination, is responsible. (A.N./transl.rt)