The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) reported that laboratory analysis of samples taken from the twelfth bulk shipment of sunflower seeds imported from Argentina detected heavy metals including lead, cadmium, and nickel. However, the measured levels remained below the maximum permitted thresholds under EU Regulation 2023/915, meaning compliance is confirmed for that category of substances.
The consignment consists of a total of 41,112 tons of sunflower seeds. Authorities emphasized that the main issue concerns pesticide residues rather than heavy metals.
According to the BFSA findings, the pesticide malathion was recorded at approximately twice the legally allowed limit. In addition, deltamethrin levels were found to be close to the maximum permissible threshold, while the active substance pirimiphos-methyl remained within acceptable regulatory values.
The agency concluded that, overall, the shipment does not meet European requirements due to the detected levels of pesticide residues.
So far, Bulgaria has received twelve sunflower seed shipments from Argentina, totaling more than 486,015 tons.
