Food safety inspectors in Sofia have stopped the sale of about 38.76 tonnes of nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, after checking three sites at one address, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) said. Labels on all the packs say the gas is for use in food.

The checks began after a delivery of the gas. Inspectors from the Sofia City food safety directorate worked with officials from the Sofia customs office.

The first site is a wholesale food warehouse. Inspectors found 10 pallets there holding 5,760 kg of gas in total. No papers were shown on where the batches came from or whether they were safe. The CMR transport document lists 6 pallets of 236 units each, which does not match what the inspectors found. They issued and served an order banning transport and sale.

The second site is a warehouse run by another company. It holds 21 pallets, about 23,000 kg. Origin papers show the gas was bought from a firm that is not registered under the Food Act. An order stopped the sale of the gas.

The third site is a storage room at the same address. It holds 11 pallets, about 10,000 kg. No papers on origin or traceability were shown, so an order banned transport and sale.

In September, police in Panagyurishte seized 1,200 canisters of nitrous oxide meant for sale at an entertainment venue, BTA recalled.