[size=75:1qeequ3r]novinite 4 January 2010

Bulgarian Health Inspectors Confiscate 600 Kilos of Illegal Meat

Inspectors from Sofia Veterinary and Sanitary Control Services have shut down an illegal site for the production of meat products in the Gevgeliiski quarter, the authority has announced on Monday.

A raid of the premises was made following a tip-off on December 30. In a former restaurant, sanitary inspectors discovered unlicensed industrial activity and extremely poor hygienic conditions.

In two rooms, they found equipment for processing meat products, while a refrigeration plant for storage of meat was installed in the entrance room of the facility.

In addition to the processing equipment, the inspectors discovered 615 kilos of raw and processed meat joints and pieces, from 80 kilos of pork shoulders and quarters to 200 kilos of pigs’ trotters and 100 kilos of sausage and meatballs.

The only paperwork available covered raw meat only., but documents and labels were discovered for a meat processor registered with the Sofia Control Service.

The discovered meat products have all been impounded, and will be incinerated. meantime, it is still being established whether any products from the premises had already reached the market.

Under Bulgarian food laws, penalties for infringement of veterinary and sanitary controls carry fines ranging from BGN 2 000 to BGN 4 500.