Nearly six tons of spoiled food and raw materials have been slated for destruction after being discovered during inspections in Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) announced this week. The findings, part of a broader crackdown on food safety violations in the Haskovo province, reveal a pattern of improper handling, relabeling, and storage practices at a meat processing facility and associated cold storage warehouses.
The inspections, conducted in Dimitrovgrad and at a distribution hub between Dimitrovgrad and Haskovo, uncovered not only products past their expiration dates but too evidence of meat being repackaged and refrozen without proper authorization. Authorities say the facility was altering product labeling, potentially misleading consumers about the age and origin of the meat. This comes as the region grapples with a separate incident involving 150 tons of substandard food discovered in a warehouse in Haskovo earlier this month, raising concerns about the integrity of the local food supply chain.
The BFSA’s investigation focused on a specific meat processing plant and two cold storage facilities linked to the same company. Inspectors found meat products that had been returned from the company’s own stores due to having passed their sell-by dates. Documentation related to the movement of these goods was incomplete and contained inconsistencies, according to the agency. The situation highlights the challenges of maintaining food safety standards and traceability within the industry.
Unauthorized Reprocessing and Relabeling
A key finding of the inspection revealed that the meat processing facility was thawing, trimming, repackaging, and refreezing meat intended for another company without a formal contract in place. This practice is a direct violation of food safety regulations. According to the BFSA, the origin information of the meat was being transferred to modern labels, and expiration dates were being reset after refreezing – a practice deemed unacceptable. This raises serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the facility’s operations.
Widespread Violations at Storage Facilities
The issues weren’t confined to the processing plant. Inspections at cold storage facilities on the “Maritsa” wholesale market, also leased by the same company, revealed over 15 tons of animal and non-animal origin raw materials lacking proper technological documentation and traceability. In one cold storage room, inspectors found 1,512 kg of food past its expiration date, leading to the immediate sealing of the room. The lack of documentation makes it impossible to verify the origin and safety of these products.
Inspectors also discovered over 3 tons of salted pork belly where adherence to processing procedures couldn’t be verified, and 1 ton of salted meat stored in wooden containers unsuitable for proper cleaning and disinfection. These conditions create a breeding ground for bacteria and increase the risk of contamination.
Hygiene Concerns and Documentation Issues
Beyond the specific product violations, the inspections revealed broader issues with hygiene and record-keeping. Inspectors noted dirty surfaces, damaged floors and walls, and inadequate sealing of premises. Food items were found without labels or identification markings, and discrepancies were identified in the accounting of animal by-products. These systemic failures suggest a lack of investment in basic food safety protocols.
The BFSA has not yet released the name of the company involved, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Still, they have stated that further administrative measures and a thorough review of documentation are planned. The agency is also coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safe disposal of the condemned food products. This incident follows a similar discovery earlier this month, where 150 tons of substandard food were found in a warehouse in Haskovo, according to reports from the Ministry of Agriculture.
What’s Next?
The BFSA is continuing its investigations into the Dimitrovgrad facility and associated storage locations. The agency has indicated that it will be reviewing the company’s operating licenses and considering potential fines and other penalties. Consumers in the Haskovo region are advised to be vigilant and report any concerns about food safety to the BFSA. The agency is expected to release a more detailed report on its findings in the coming weeks.
This situation underscores the importance of robust food safety regulations and diligent enforcement. The ongoing investigations will likely prompt a broader review of food safety practices within the Haskovo province and potentially across Bulgaria.
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