Bulgaria's food safety agency (BABH) has stopped a 14,100 kg shipment of table grapes from Turkey at the European Union border. Lab tests found pesticide residues above the legal limit, the agency said.
The grapes, packed in 2,640 crates, will be sent back to the sender. Inspectors found the breach during stepped-up checks on fresh fruit and vegetables on the Bulgarian market.
A month ago, the same checks led BABH to refuse entry to five shipments of table grapes from Turkey, more than 53 tonnes in total. It also turned back two shipments of peppers from North Macedonia, weighing more than 21 tonnes, BTA recalls.
The agency said the tighter checks will go on, to keep food that fails safety rules off the market. People can report suspected breaches on the BABH hotline, 0700 12 299.