The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has blocked a shipment of 720 kg of packaged tea imported from China through the port of Varna after detecting excessive pesticide residues. The goods include 520 kg of black tea and 200 kg of oolong tea, which were intended for sale on the European market.
Following identification and physical inspections at the port, samples were taken and analyzed at an accredited laboratory in Plovdiv. The results showed the presence of three pesticides not approved for use, as well as five permitted substances in quantities exceeding the limits set by European legislation. Due to these non-compliances, the shipment will not be allowed on the market and is to be destroyed under the supervision of the Regional Directorate for Food Safety in Varna.
The Agency also reported another case involving non-compliant food products. Two shipments of peanuts arriving by ship at the port of Varna were officially detained after excessive levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 were discovered. One shipment originated from the USA and weighed 19.921 tons, while the second came from Egypt and weighed 18 tons.