In connection with an order of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov and order of the Executive Director of BFSA Dr. Jordan Voynov of of May 2011 for mandatory radioactivity testing of all shipments with wild growing mushrooms Sheep’s foot before the realization on the market, the Bulgarian Food Safety agency reported that during laboratory tests carried out in two of the shipments of fresh wild growing mushroom Sheep’s foot radioactive element cesium 137 is detected above the levels. The shipments are banned will be destroyed. According to the resellers, the mushrooms were picked in the Rhodopes.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov informed the Prime Minister Mr.Boyko Borisov. By order of the Prime Minister the necessary coordination actions have been organized between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Economy and Energy.
Cesium 137 is an isotope of the chemical element cesium and has a semi-decay period of 30 years. Large quantities of cesium 137 and cesium 134 are released into the atmosphere during the accident at nuclear power plant in Chernobyl in 1986.
BFSA recommends to avoid picking and use for personal consumption of this type of mushroom in the region.