FSSAI Debunks Claims Linking Eggs to Cancer: “Safe for Consumption”
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially dismissed recent reports claiming that eggs pose a cancer risk, labeling such allegations as scientifically baseless and misleading. The clarification comes in response to social media posts and media reports suggesting that Indian eggs contain carcinogenic substances.
Key Clarifications from the FSSAI
- Zero Tolerance for Nitrofurans: The authority clarified that the use of nitrofurans (antibiotics like AOZ) is strictly prohibited in poultry farming.
- Understanding the Detection Limit: While a residue limit of $1.0\text{ µg/kg}$ exists, the FSSAI explained this is an Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL). This is not a “permitted amount” but rather the lowest level detectable by modern technology, used strictly for regulatory enforcement.
- Trace Levels are Not Risks: Detecting trace residues below this threshold does not constitute a safety violation or a threat to human health.
Global Standards and Health Evidence
The FSSAI emphasized that India’s regulatory framework mirrors international safety protocols:
| Feature | India (FSSAI) | EU & USA |
| Nitrofuran Status | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Regulatory Action | Based on EMRL ($1.0\text{ µg/kg}$) | Similar Reference/Action levels |
| Health Link | No causal link to cancer | No established link to cancer |
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