Bulgaria has stopped two shipments of cucumbers from Turkey at the border before they could reach the EU market. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) held them at the Kapitan Andreevo crossing and destroyed them, the agency said.

Laboratory tests showed pesticide residues above the maximum legal levels. In all, 7,140 kg were destroyed: 4,120 kg from the first shipment and 3,020 kg from the second.

Earlier this month, the agency stopped two shipments of Turkish table grapes for the same reason. One weighed 14,100 kg and held 2,640 crates. The other weighed 19,200 kg and held 3,840 crates.

The BFSA says it will keep checking to stop food that fails safety rules from reaching the market.

People can report suspected breaches on the agency's hotline, 0700 12 299, or through the contact form on its official website.