Food and drink

Bulgaria will receive EUR 133 M from the European Union, which will subsidize vine-growing and wine production under a new operational program.

Krasimir Koev, who heads Bulgaria's Vine and Wine Agency, said that the new program was signed Wednesday, the website Expert.bg reported.

Upon receiving EU funds, new vines are to be planted across Bulgaria.

"Nicefoods Restaurants" says it will appeal against a judgment of the Novi Sad Court, which fined it 100,000 dinars (about 860 euro) for not allowing Roma children to enter McDonald's in the city of Novi Sad in 2012.

"Nicefoods Restaurants respect the ruling... but we will use our right and appeal the decision," the company said in a statement.

KOPAONIK - Winterfest, a three-day wine, gastronomy and viticulture conference with an emphasis on wine tourism, kicked off on the Kopaonik mountain in southern Serbia on Thursday.

The European Commission has suggested the introduction of a uniform food labeling scheme, based on a three color classification.

Every other Bulgarian consumes way too much sugary products, shows an analysis of the National Public Health Center (NPHC). 

According to the data, the Bulgarians consume an average of 36 kg of sugar per year, whereas a century ago it was 2 kg per year. 

Romanian prosecutors on Thursday detained 10 people on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering, by trafficking meat and animal products not fit for human consumption.

The suspects allegedly sold expired food, or meat mixed with other products in abattoirs, and then sold on the black market.

SENTA - The Serbian government approved a report on negotiations with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development on Friday in relation to the granting of a loan to the Serbian government for financing the first phase of the irrigation system development, Serbian Minister of Agriculture Dragan Glamocic has said.