The European Commission pressures Italy to provide information about the possibly contaminated mozzarella.

Import of buffalo mozzarella was banned in Japan and South Korea. A high level of dioxin, a dangerous toxin, was found in milk used for the cheese preparation provided by a number of buffalo herds. Dioxin may be the cause for cancer, birth defects, skin disfigurement.

The quantity of dioxins discovered was higher than the admitted one. As a result, the Commission asks for “the immediate withdrawal from the market of all contaminated products, the name of the buffalo farms placed under bans, the list of contaminated products, information on the control measures put in place and guarantees on prevention measures,” BBC News reports.

After detecting higher-than-permitted levels of dioxin, more than 80 cow farms were shut down.

Authorities say the cheese contamination isn’t related to the garbage crisis that had also affected the country, spreading fears of food contamination.

Specialists estimated a fall of 60 percent of the sales, which mean about several millions of dollars.

Reuters reported a Commission spokesman said that Italy assured the EU that no contaminated mozzarella cheese has been exported in European Union countries.

Nina Papadoulaki, EU health and food safety spokeswoman said they have sent a request for complete information about the cheese produced in the Campania region. The response was that cheese was sent just in the local Italian market and not in UE countries. It was mentioned that the dioxin level was higher than EU legislation required but not excessive.