Dangerous shipment of peanuts from Egypt stopped in Varna
Inspectors from the Regional Directorate for Food Safety (ODBH) – Varna have taken urgent measures to stop the import of 18 tons of peanuts in the shell arriving from Egypt. The reason is the discovery of dangerously high levels of mold.
Laboratory analyses show that the permissible levels of aflatoxins in the shipment are exceeded by 3 to 5 times.
What are the health risks?
Aflatoxins are highly toxic and proven carcinogenic substances. Experts from the Central Laboratory for Chemical Testing and Control in Sofia confirm that the presence of aflatoxin B1 is most alarming.
- High risk: Even small amounts consumed over a long period can increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Resistance: Aflatoxins are extremely resilient – they are not destroyed by heat treatment such as roasting or boiling.
What happens next for the detained goods?
The container of peanuts is being held under customs control. The importer has the option for a follow-up test. If the initial result is confirmed, three legal options follow:
- Return of the goods to the country of origin (Egypt);
- Complete destruction of the batch;
- Specialized processing outside the territory of Bulgaria to reduce the toxins.
The BFSA assures that the dangerous goods will not reach the tables of Bulgarian consumers.