Shipments of peppers most often do not meet the import requirements of Bulgaria and the EU

From the beginning of this year to date, nearly 407 tons of peppers have been withdrawn from sale due to laboratory-established excessive levels of pesticide residues during controls carried out by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA). All foods for which non-compliances have been identified by the inspectors of the “Border Control” Directorate have not been allowed onto the territory of the country and the EU. In accordance with EU Regulations and the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria, the products have been directed for destruction or returned to the country of origin.

Since the beginning of 2021, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has not allowed 1,546 tons of foods imported from third countries, which do not comply with the legislation, to enter the markets in Bulgaria and the EU.

The quantities were detained within the first half of 2021. For comparison, the seized foods at the borders throughout the entire year 2020 amounted to 2,100 tons.

Among foods of non-animal origin, consignments of peppers most frequently fail to meet the requirements. From the beginning of this year to date, nearly 407 tons have been stopped due to laboratory-established excessive levels of pesticide residues.

Composite products (foods intended for human consumption that contain both products of animal origin and products of plant origin, where the processing of the primary product is an integral part of the manufacture of the final product; e.g. instant soups) are among the other most frequently unsuitable goods during border control of foods of animal origin – 23 tons and 400 kg. The reason is unsatisfactory documentary checks (missing or accompanying documents not compliant with the legislation). In the same food category, the inspectors report more than 23 tons of seized lamb offal (e.g. variety meats), as well as more than 20 tons of dairy products.

All foods for which non-compliances have been identified by the inspectors of the “Border Control” Directorate have not been allowed onto the territory of the country and the EU. In accordance with EU Regulations and the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria, the products have been directed for destruction or returned to the country of origin.

The seized foods subject to notification through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) were notified immediately.

According to data from the BFSA