The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BABH) has ordered the destruction of more than 2 tons of yogurt and sour milk, along with over 4,200 liters of ayran. These products were seized from a dairy facility located in a village within the Silistra region.
Evidence of Date Manipulation
During a cooling chamber inspection, officials discovered yogurt and sour milk that completely lacked identification markings. This omission meant there was no verification of the production batches or expiration dates.
Further investigation revealed approximately 17,000 bottles of ayran and 750 kg of yogurt buckets with manipulated shelf lives. These products were marked with production dates that had not yet occurred at the time of the inspection.
The BABH conducted the check on April 24. But, the ayran was labeled with a production date of April 25, while the lids of the yogurt indicated a production date of May 3.
Combatting Local Influence
The violations in the Silistra dairy were identified by inspectors traveling from Dobrich. This represents part of a broader strategy employed by the BABH known as “cross-checks.”
Under this system, employees from one province are assigned to perform in a different province. This approach is designed to prevent local dependencies and mitigate attempts to pressure control authorities.
Given the scale of the manipulated stock, the BABH may continue to expand these cross-regional audits. Such measures could lead to the discovery of similar irregularities in other facilities if the pattern of date manipulation is widespread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific quantities of dairy are being destroyed?
The order covers over 2 tons of yogurt and sour milk, and more than 4,200 liters of ayran.
What were the primary violations found at the dairy?
Inspectors found products without identification markings for batches and expiration dates, as well as products with future production dates used to manipulate shelf life.
Why were inspectors from Dobrich used for a site in Silistra?
The BABH uses “cross-checks” where staff from one region work in another to avoid local dependencies and pressure on the control bodies.
Do you believe cross-regional inspections are the most effective way to ensure food safety transparency?
