Bulgaria's food safety agency seizes 5 tonnes of fake butter

On 26 June the Bulgarian Agency for Food Safety (BABH) carried out coordinated inspections in Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas. Inspectors seized close to 5 tonnes of food products, including around 6 tonnes of counterfeit butter that had been marketed as German cow‑milk butter but actually contained plant oils and a small amount of pork fat.

The agency fined two companies a total of more than 300,000 euros and ordered the immediate withdrawal and destruction of the product. Over 70 retail outlets were examined, records of batch traceability were demanded, and laboratory tests were performed on the seized butter. BABH officials warned that a single short‑term consumption poses no acute health danger, but long‑term intake could be adverse for people with cardiovascular conditions.

BABH said the actions are part of a nationwide effort to ensure food safety, proper labeling and traceability, and investigations continue to prevent similar frauds in other dairy products.