One In Four Milk Imports Shows Signs Of Hygiene Issues, Bulgarian Minister Says
Jerusalem, 18 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint (BTA) – Nearly 24 percent of the tested samples of imported raw milk showed the presence of somatic cells, which is an indicator of insufficient hygiene during the production or transportation of the product. This was announced at the Border Checkpoint (BCCP) “Kapitan Andreevo” on the Turkish border by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA), Prof. Svetla Yancheva.
According to her, the results are part of the inspections carried out on imported milk, which aim to guarantee the quality and safety of the raw material entering the country for processing. She specified that the quality of deliveries is different and the results vary with individual shipments. Yancheva visited the point, accompanying the Minister of Agriculture and Food Plamen Abrovski.
In connection with the established results, the Minister of Agriculture and Food stated that follow-up inspections will be undertaken along the entire production chain. According to him, the control will not be limited to border checkpoints and laboratory tests, but will also cover producers in order to establish the reasons for the deviations in the quality indicators of raw milk.
Regarding the laboratory checks of food and goods taken at border crossings in our country, the Minister emphasized that all computers used for their reporting have been replaced. According to him, the measure was taken to dispel doubts about possible manipulation of data during laboratory control. Getting acquainted with the organization of official control over food and goods of animal and plant origin entering the European Union through its external border with Turkey is also the main purpose of the Minister’s visit.
Regarding the allegations of possible manipulation of laboratory results at the station, Abrovski also pointed out that the control system is European and access to it is done online. “About a week ago, the deputy minister personally came and we replaced absolutely all the computers that are in the consoles. Not because there was a problem, but to stop all these accusations,” the minister said.
He added that the new equipment was replaced not only at “Kapitan Andreevo”, but at all border checkpoints in the country. According to him, the computers are brand new and were installed immediately after their delivery.
Abrovski emphasized that at the checkpoint, tests are carried out solely by the state laboratory and that guarantees for the reliability of the results are provided through the accreditation of the laboratory and the current European control procedures.
The minister’s comment was prompted by allegations by the former executive director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Angel Mavrovski, who, before his dismissal from his post, stated that laboratory results at the southern border had been manipulated remotely.
During his visit, the Minister recalled that the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint is the largest land border crossing in Europe and one of the busiest in the world, through which significant quantities of goods intended for the European Union market pass.
