Sofia, April 25 (BTA/GNA) – The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) will mandatorily inspect all shipments of raw milk and milk concentrate entering Bulgaria, regardless of whether they come from the European Union or third countries, the Agency reported on Saturday.
To date, only 10% of the quantities imported into Bulgaria have been inspected, according to the BFSA.
By order of BFSA Executive Director Angel Mavrovski, milk intended for processing and sale in Bulgaria will be inspected based on documentation, physically, for identity, and for residues of antibiotics and other medications.
The samples will be sent for analysis to accredited laboratories at the regional food safety directorates in Sofia, Shumen, and Haskovo. The collection and testing of the samples will be at the expense of the business operators.
Regional offices will report to the BFSA Central Administration on the number of samples taken, the results of the analyses, any violations identified, and the actions taken.
This will ensure better oversight and traceability throughout the entire supply chain.
The tenfold increase in controls on imported milk aims to reduce the risk of dairy products containing antibiotic residues reaching the market and to limit the unfair competition that impacts Bulgarian dairy farmers.
Dairy imports have surged nearly 45% over the past five years, while raw cow’s milk production has dropped 25%, Commission on Protection of Competition Deputy Chair Zhelyo Boychev reported on March 10.
GNA/BTA