In the first 6 months of 2021 the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency stopped 1,546 tons of food imported from third countries from reaching the markets of Bulgaria and the EU. In 2020 the quantities were 2,100 tons. Among foods of non-animal origin, imports of nearly 407 tons of pepper have been suspended because of the high content of pesticide residues.
Non-compliant foods are not allowed on the territory of this country and the EU. According to EU regulations and Bulgarian legislation, the products are to be destroyed or returned to their country of origin.