All clear for milk and dairy products.

Byline: Alexia Saoulli

CONSUMERS can consume milk and dairy products without fear of toxin contamination, the authorities said yesterday.

Following the first results on samples taken to test for aflatoxin M1 after the carcinogenic toxin was located in cattle farms' milk last week, both the Agriculture and Health Ministries assured consumers that intensive tests were continuing to discover how the contamination occurred.

It is believed the contamination happened when cattle were fed animal feed already infected with elevated levels of aflatoxin. Some have suggested that the feed was infected when it was imported but preliminary investigations have shown that samples taken from imported animal feed indicated aflatoxin within normal levels.

Agriculture Minister Michalis Polynikis said investigations were continuing to determine where the breakdown in controls had occurred and how animals had ended up eating feed containing aflatoxin levels beyond the legal limit.

Nevertheless, putting his reputation as a doctor on the line, Polynikis categorically stated that at no point had consumers' health been jeopardised.

Cyprus Milk Industry Organisation director Andreas Marangos said although no one could say for sure whether contaminated milk had made it on to the market before the elevated aflatoxin levels were discovered, what could be said was that no contaminated milk had been ingested since May 26 when the toxin was first located.

"I assure you not one litre of contaminated milk made its way on to the market," he said.

Marangos said eight out of 113 sheep farms had also been found with elevated aflatoxin levels. The farms are in the Larnaca district and are believed to have used the same animal feed supplier. The Veterinary Services were notified immediately and steps were taken to ensure the problem ended there, he said. Nevertheless inspections at all farms, including pig farms, were continuing, he added.

Meanwhile the Health Ministry yesterday announced tests on the first 13 samples of dairy products had confirmed aflatoxin levels within permissible EU levels. The samples included cheese, halloumi and ice cream that were manufactured before and during the height of the problem, the Health Services said.

The ministry, in co-operation with the state lab, will continue to work around the clock testing samples.

Health Minister Christos Patsallides said: "From the minute there is any concern about any kind of product, our services step up controls and in this case tests on pasteurized milk continue daily. All samples we've taken were negative."

Patsallides said tests had also been carried out on a number of dairy products, including cheese and ice creams, which had also come back negative for aflatoxin. He said delays in publishing these results had been because the competent services had been waiting for clarification from the European Union regarding what the permissible levels of aflatoxin was for milk by-products, as opposed to milk.

"The State Lab and Health Services were working overtime all weekend so that we could have the results immediately," he said.

"Inspections are ongoing and will continue at an intensive rate and all samples that are taken are immediately sent for analysis sot that we take the necessary measures," Patsallides added.

Such was the furore over the presence of elevated levels of aflatoxin, that even the Cabinet discussed the issue during its weekly meeting.

Following its conclusion Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said President Demetris Christofias had given "strict and clear instructions" for the investigation into whether unsuitable animal feed had been imported.

"If it emerges that there were loopholes or there was negligence in the issue of animal feed import controls, then the government will be strict and will openly attribute responsibly, whether they concern the public or private sector," Stefanou said.

Like everyone else, the Government Spokesman reassured consumers that the control system had detected and withdrawn any "faulty" dairy products and so "there is no problem regarding the existence of faulty products in the food chain".

Furthermore the Cheese Makers' Association questioned why anyone was complaining since it was clear that the control system to detect substandard food products had worked.

People had been frightened off purchasing dairy products but once their initial shock had passed, they regained their faith in the products and would be back on track as far as consumption was concerned, said Athos Pittas, the Association's chairman.

Copyright [c] Cyprus Mail 2008

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