The importance of egg safety drive by FSSAI
Eggs are considered to be a rich source of protein and other nutrients. From nutritionists to medical science, everyone has talked about the benefits of eating eggs regularly. What many people have been missing out is about the adulteration in the poultry world. India's food safety regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has launched a drive to detect it all and here's all you need to know about it.
The need for egg safety drive
As per reports, the team has started collecting samples of a popular brand to test its quality following uproar over a viral video that claimed that it contained traces of a banned, potentially cancer‑linked substance. The officers have been asked to collect samples of both branded and unbranded eggs for testing at its 10 laboratories across the country.
The move came into picture following a controversy over the quality of eggs sold by popular brand Eggoz, with reports stating that concerns about possible traces of nitrofurans, a group of antibiotics banned for use in food-producing animals.
What does the company say?
“As promised, the latest lab reports of Eggoz egg samples (December 25) are available, and we are sharing them openly for everyone’s reference at www (dot) eggoz (dot) com. At Eggoz, the safety and trust of our consumers mean everything to us. Thank you for your patience and for giving us the opportunity to clarify the facts, we will continue to upload the highest standards across the farms and processes,” the company said in their statement. As per the information shared by the company, the reports indicate that the samples tested were free from banned antibiotics, pesticides and drugs, with results marked "BLQ"-below the limit of quantification, for the substances tested.
All about the ban
As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, they had issued a decisive notification—S.O. 1158(E) dated 12th March 2025—banning the import, manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of drug formulations containing Chloramphenicol or Nitrofurans in food-producing animal rearing systems with immediate effect. It is said that the decision communicated through the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Veterinary Division, aims to protect public health from the potential risks posed by drug residues in meat, milk, and other animal-derived food products.
What does an expert say?
Dr Manan Vora,Orthopaedic Surgeon & Health Educator, shared a reel on Instagram and requested FSSAI to not only check for antibiotics, but also look for banned pesticides, toxic residues, heavy metals, chemical analysis, and microbiological pathogens.
How to do egg quality check at home
According to a FSSAI YouTube video, one can easily test eggs for good quality at home. And to do so, all you need to do is, take a container filled with water, immerse an egg into the container. Now observe the position of the egg. If the egg is fresh it will be placed at the bottom width wise. If the egg is slightly older, it will be placed at the bottom on one end. And if the egg is rotten, it will float on the surface. The video further explains that as an egg ages, the air pocket inside it grows larger, as water is released and replaced by air. Thus, an old egg floats. (Image: Screengrab/FSSAI YouTube)
4 common ways to enjoy eggs
Masala Egg Bhurji: It is one of the classic egg preparations, where scrambled eggs are cooked along with onions, tomatoes, chillies, and basic Indian spices. It is best served with toast or plain paratha.
Veggie Omelette: It refers to a fluffy omelette loaded with onions, capsicum, tomatoes, and coriander and cooked in ghee, butter or oil and makes for a wholesome and filling meal that is commonly served with toast.
Boiled Eggs with Spices: This is mostly enjoyed by gym goers were hard-boiled eggs are sliced and topped with chaat masala, pepper, green chilli, coriander leaves and lemon for a quick protein-packed plate.
Poached Egg: To make this, all you need to do is cook it without its shell in gently simmering water and make sure egg white sets softly and the yolk remains runny. Top it with salt and pepper and enjoy.
All Images Courtesy: istock
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is meant for general knowledge only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new routine.