Bulgaria returns 19.3 tonnes of North Macedonian apples after pesticide findings
Bulgarian inspectors found pesticide residues above legal limits and ordered the full 19.3‑tonne consignment returned to North Macedonia.
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BABH) has ordered a shipment of apples from North Macedonia to be returned after laboratory tests detected pesticide residues above permitted limits.
The consignment weighed approximately 19.3 tonnes and was stopped at the border following routine checks, the agency said. Inspectors identified deviations from food-safety standards that led to a formal decision to send the entire load back to its country of origin.
Enhanced controls on imported fresh produce
BABH reported that the shipment was uncovered during intensified inspection measures applied to all imported fresh fruit and vegetables. Those stepped-up controls are part of regular border surveillance aimed at preventing unsafe products from entering the Bulgarian market.
The agency emphasized that the decision affects the whole consignment and is based on analytical results showing residues exceeding maximum residue levels for pesticides. The consignor or exporter will therefore have to receive the goods back.
Bulgarian authorities said the action follows established procedures for handling imports that fail safety checks, and underlined that such measures are intended to protect consumers and ensure compliance with EU food-safety rules.
Photo: press material from the event
