Italian group estimates it will take at least 1 month to restore buffalo mozzarella sales

A farmers group estimates it will take at least a month to restore sales levels for buffalo mozzarella after Italy detected higher-than-permitted dioxin levels in some mozzarella-making facilities.

Coldiretti says it's necessary to restore the consumers' trust after the scare that has been affecting domestic and international markets.

Coldiretti, in a statement Saturday, has estimated roughly euro500,000 (about US$790,000) has been lost every day since the scare began more than a week ago. It says sales have fallen between 25 and 60 percent depending on the markets.

Italy has assured consumers that all products in supermarkets are safe. But China has banned imports of mozzarella and Singapore has told markets to suspend sales.