A major recall of imported Italian mozzarella cheese possibly contaminated with carcinogens is still underway, authorities said Tuesday.

Metro China decided to recall the products to ensure customer safety after advice from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Yesterday, Metro China began the recall at 37 stores and urged customers who had bought the products to return them for a refund. There are four stores in Shanghai.

Metro said that all of the mozzarella cheese products in question had been withdrawn from the shelves on Saturday.

It said it would monitor developments in the cheese case and take necessary actions in accordance with the Chinese law.

Higher-than-permitted levels of dioxin were found in products from 29 mozzarella makers by Italian authorities earlier in March. Watchdogs confirmed that the cheeses had been exported to China.

(Shanghai Daily April 2, 2008)