The content of lead and cadmium in milk produced near a rural area subjected to illegal dumping and the transfer of the two metals from milk to Mozzarella cheese were investigated. The concentrations found in milk (from 2.00 to 19.17 for Pb and from 0.04 to 1.43 mg L -1 for Cd) did not exceed the maximum limits established by European Community regulations. The cheese-making process was responsible for the transfer of the metals into the cheese but the level of contamination differed, also depending on the dairy, the production technology and the extent of exogenous contamination. On the whole, the contribution that Mozzarella makes to the daily intake of lead and cadmium appears to be toxicologically negligible.