Food authorities suspended the sale of Italian mozzarella cheese in Korea after foreign media reported that high levels of dioxin were found in some samples in Italy.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Sunday that it has stopped the quarantine processes on dairy products from Italy and notified food retailers not to sell them. The ministry is waiting for an official safety confirmation from the Italian government.

According to the ministry, about 10 tons of mozzarella cheese made from buffalo milk were imported this year. Some was consumed at Italian restaurants and pizza chains or sold to consumers at major discount chains and department stores.

Dioxin is a chemical pollutant, which can be hazardous even in small amounts. When it accumulates in the body it can be linked to cancer, birth defects and organ failure.

Over the past week, Italian authorities have searched dozens of buffalo dairies and seized milk samples for tests after higher-than-permitted levels of dioxin were discovered in products from 29 mozzarella makers, news reports said.

indizio@koreatimes.co.kr