Order No. 2 of 27 March 2024 on the conditions and procedure for sampling and laboratory testing of food.

This Order defines the following: 1. the conditions and procedure for taking samples of food produced in the country, the European Union or originating from third countries, intended for placing on the Union market, with the exception of natural mineral, spring and table waters, for carrying out laboratory tests for the purposes of official control; 2. the conditions and procedure for sampling applied in the conduct of official control on the content of pesticide residues in or on food of plant and animal origin, referred to in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC; 3. the conditions and procedure for sampling and the methods for analyzing honey. The employees of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) are in charge with performing official control in the field of food and taking samples of food when performing official controls. Food samples shall also be taken: 1. upon signals of the presence of dangerous and substandard food on the market; 2. when investigating an outbreak of foodborne illness; 3. upon finding non-conformities during official control, leading to suspicions of violation of food safety and quality; 4. in case of suspected food contamination due to natural disasters, industrial accidents and other extraordinary incidents; 5. when conducting forensic examinations; 6. at the request of natural and/or legal persons or business operators.