Labeling Requirements: Bulgaria
21 February 2006 Updates from the Ordinance of the Council of Ministers, No. 288, which went into effect Nov. 25 2004 and Ordinance No. 213, which went into effect Oct. 5, 2005, state that all labels must contain the following information in the Bulgarian language:
1. Imported food products must be labeled with the same name as given in the country of origin. In case the name of the food product is not definitive enough itself, explanatory definition must be provided;
2. Trade mark;
3. Name and address of producer;
4. Name and address of importer;
5. List of ingredients and supplements in processed foods;
6. GMO products or ingredients must be defined as GMO with their specific characteristics. The regulation requires food products containing threshold limit of 1% maize, GM soybean, or other GMOs to be labeled as such.
Imported biotech products follow special procedure. It is the importer’s obligation to submit an application and get permission from Bulgarian authorities for import.
7. It is not necessary to list ingredients in food products with content of one product with the same name and when the name of the product is with sufficient identification;
8. Nutrient content;
9. Health claims;
10. Date of packaging;
11. Validity; expiration date must be marked as follows:
– validity of three months or less: day and month,
– validity more than three months and less than 18 months: month and year
– validity more than 18 months: year
12. Perishable products must be marked with, "To be used before the date: day and month;
13. Storage conditions.
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