Caretaker Health Minister Galya Kondeva has ordered Regional Health Inspectorates (RHI) to urgently investigate physical locations suspected of distributing the substance known as "energy sniff", the Health Ministry said on Thursday. Inspections will be carried out in cooperation with representatives from the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP).
Health Ministry experts conducted a comprehensive review of remote sales locations, compiled a list for subsequent inspections, and will share the relevant information with the appropriate regulatory authorities.
After identifying the origin of the products, the supply chain, and the raw materials and ingredients used, a comprehensive safety assessment for nasal use will be conducted. This evaluation will ascertain whether any measures, such as restrictions or bans, are necessary.
An official report on the specified products was filed to the Health Ministry on August 26. Consequently, expert opinions were solicited from the National Council on Narcotic Substances and the National Centre for Public Health and Analyses.
RHI have mandated the cessation of sales for 106 packages of "energy sniff," the Health Ministry press service added. These packages are now on hold, pending a safety decision.
RHI inspectors also identified the products in question in establishments across nine of the 28 regions inspected, including Sofia, Burgas, and Varna. The inspections covered more than 150 locations nationwide. The products were found in varying quantities, ranging from two to ten packages, each labelled in Bulgarian and with a sale price, batch number, and expiration date included.
Following the August 26 report to the Health Ministry and the preceding public outcry, several government bodies, including the Health Ministry, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, and the CCP have taken action. The issue garnered widespread attention after a Bulgarian pop-folk singer posted a viral video on social media promoting an energy powder intended for nasal inhalation, akin to cocaine.
The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) has received reports concerning the video promoting the energy powder. However, CEM does not have the jurisdiction to regulate content on social media platforms, CEM acting chair Gabriela Naplatanova said. She pointed out that other EU Member States have established mechanisms to oversee the online activities of vloggers and influencers.
