Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Bulgarian police seize 34 tons of toxic nuts from Macedonia

More than 30 tons of toxic pistachio nuts from Macedonia were seized by Bulgarian customs officers at Zlatarevo border crossing on 3 January, Focus news agency said.

Nikolai Shushkov, the head of Customs Administration Office "Kulata", said two trucks with Bulgarian license plates arrived at the border crossing of Zlatarevo on 3 January. The trucks carried 34.060 kilograms of pistachio nuts from Macedonia to Bulgaria.

The cargo analysis showed that imported pistachio nuts tested positive for toxic ingredients. According to customs declaration papers, the nuts were manufactured in India.

Indicators of alpha toxins and toxins including B1+B2+G1+G2 (also alpha toxins) showed tenfold higher levels than the ones allowed.

"All we did at the time was to practically implement the Article 339 of the EU concerning mutual action of supervisory bodies during import of dangerous products," Shushkov said.

On 26 January 2006, Bulgarian customs officers seized 75 tons of 20-year-old beef meat originating in Ireland.

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