[Mutagenicity testing of commercially used strains of P. camemberti and P. roqueforti]

We tested the mutagenic potential of crude extracts of 18 strains of Penicillium camemberti and 6 strains of P. roqueforti, which are used commercially in the production of mould ripened cheese in Switzerland. No mutagenic activity could be detected in any of the extracts. Roquefortine, a mycotoxin of P. roqueforti, often found in Blue cheese, was negative in the Amestest. The results obtained do not lead reasons for experting undesired long term effects from the consumption of mould ripened cheese.