site.btaBulgarian Food Safety Agency Conducts Over 400 Inspections in Schools

Over 400 inspections related to school meals have been carried out in schools across the country earlier in March, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) Executive Director Angel Mavrovski told journalists on Monday.

Bulgarian Food Safety Agency’s newly-appointed Deputy Executive Director, Todorka Yankovska, said that 130 samples of snacks and sandwiches were tested for certain microbiological characteristics. Not all of the analyses have been completed yet, but from the results so far, coliform growth has been detected in three sandwiches, and mould has been detected in four.

Regarding samples of milk and dairy products, Yankovska indicated that there are results from 78 samples for various physicochemical characteristics. Inconsistent results were found in samples of various cheeses. Meat products were also tested for physicochemical characteristics, and in one of them an increased water content was found. There were no inconsistent results from two bread samples. Over 95 samples of fruits and vegetables have been tested for pesticide residues and no inconsistent results above the maximum permissible concentrations set out in the legislation have been found.

Lyubomir Kulinski, Director of the Food Control Directorate at BFSA, specified that the inspections were carried out in schools, educational institutions, and catering establishments that prepare food for school students. He added that it is too early to make a conclusion, as it would be good to do so after all the laboratory results are ready. Kulinski assured that appropriate measures are taken for each non-compliant laboratory result. He added that in just one week there have been 17 prescriptions, 25 fines between EUR 1,000 and 2,000, 6 batches have been sent for destruction, and a facility has been closed. According to Kulinski, the products in which problems have been identified so far do not directly threaten human health, but according to him, these products should either be destroyed or relabelled.

Mavrovski said the inspections were prompted by his concern over the quality of food offered to children in schools. He stressed that stricter oversight is needed and that funding for school meals should be increased if necessary.

Mavrovski pointed out that these inspections were provoked by his indignation at the quality of food offered to children in schools. He commented that very serious control is needed and, if necessary, the money allocated should be increased.