Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) officials are today to begin tests on Dutch milk and powdered milk products on sale in Greek supermarkets following the discovery of cancer-causing dioxins in milk from two Dutch farms.

Beef and dairy products imported from the Netherlands between August 3 and November 1 — when imports were stopped following a European Commission decision — have already been tested and results are due in the next few days, EFET President Nikos Katsaros said yesterday.

The dioxin infection was provoked by the earth mixed with the potatoes used to feed cattle on Dutch farms — earth that had been imported from Germany and used since August 3, Katsaros added.

He stressed that the problem does not affect Greek milk and other products.

Deputy Agricultural Development and Food Minister Evangelos Bassiakos said that there had been “no imports of cattle fodder suspected of dioxin infection.” His ministry is only responsible for checks on animal fodder, not on food for human consumption.