The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has prevented a shipment of peppers from the Republic of North Macedonia from entering the European Union market due to excessive pesticide residue levels. The total quantity of the banned product is 11,843 kg, according to the agency.
Laboratory testing revealed that pesticide levels exceed the legally established maximum residue limits. The shipment will be returned to the sender.
The BFSA noted that the detection of this non-compliant shipment is a result of intensified controls on fresh fruits and vegetables. The goal of these measures is to ensure food safety, traceability, and to establish the true origin of products on the market.
The agency is continuing its heightened inspections to prevent food that does not meet safety requirements from entering the market. If citizens suspect any violations, they can report them via the BFSA hotline: 0700 12 299.
Control over the safety of imported food products is important for the health and quality of products reaching consumers in Burgas and the region.
It is worth noting that last month, the agency detected excessive levels of the pesticide formetanate in an imported shipment of 11.6 tons of peppers originating from the Republic of North Macedonia. That shipment entered the country through the "Zlatarevo" border control point and was destined for a business operator in Petrich.