site.btaFood Safety Agency in Varna Closes Mussel Cleaning Station due to Violations

The Regional Food Safety Directorate in Varna suspended the operation of a cleaning and depot station for mussels after violations were found, said the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency on Monday.

While carrying out a planned monitoring on August 19 through taking samples of Black Sea mussels offered on the market, inspectors found elevated levels of Escherichia coli. The origin of the mussels has been traced to the cleaning centre.
A follow-up inspection was performed at the facility, and the analyses showed severak-fold elevations of the bacteria. The station was closed by order of the head of the Regional Food Safety Inspectorate of Varna.

The station had been operating on provisional licence for three months, which expires on August 28 this year, but due to the violations found, it will not be renewed.