Bulgaria Blocks Over 370 Tons of Unsafe Food Imports in One Month

Bulgarian authorities have blocked the entry of more than 370 tons of food products from non-EU countries over the course of roughly one month, following inspections at the Union’s external borders. Between early March and April 5, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) stopped 51 shipments after carrying out veterinary and phytosanitary checks, with most of the irregular consignments identified at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint.

A significant portion of the rejected goods consisted of fresh produce. Tomatoes accounted for the largest volume, exceeding 110 tons, while 58 tons of tangerines and 52 tons of sweet peppers were denied entry due to pesticide levels above permitted limits. Similar violations were also detected in shipments of pomegranates, rice and vine leaves. In other cases, dried figs and hazelnuts were found to contain toxins, leading to their rejection.

Inspectors also identified administrative and documentation issues in several consignments. Missing or incomplete paperwork, as well as insufficient product identification, resulted in the refusal of various items, including sunflower seeds for planting, roses with soil, different vegetables and citrus fruits, saplings and wooden packaging materials. Products of animal origin were also affected, with shipments containing collagen, eggs and beef bone extract prevented from entering the country.

All rejected consignments were reported through the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, generating a total of 38 notifications. The BFSA stressed that enhanced inspections at the country’s eight designated border control points are ongoing and form part of a broader effort to protect consumers. According to the agency, the objective is to stop “potentially dangerous food and feed” from reaching the EU market and to maintain strict safety standards at entry points.