The aim of the focus action was to check cheeses produced on alpine pastures for contamination with pathogenic germs. 62 samples from all over Austria were examined. 19 samples were rejected:

• staphylococci - enterotoxins were detected in two samples; the samples therefore had to be rejected as unsafe - harmful to health
• nine samples showed highly increased bacterial counts of Escherichia coli or coagulase-positive staphylococci and were therefore judged unsafe for human consumption
• eight samples showed contamination by Escherichia coli and coagulase-positive staphylococci or were stored at excessively high temperatures and were rejected in accordance with the Food Hygiene Ordinance.