The Karnataka state government has initiated extensive testing of eggs sold across the state following reports suggesting that a specific brand may be using antibiotics, triggering immediate concerns about food safety and public health.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the mandatory testing on Monday, confirming that the Health Department and officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have begun collecting samples for laboratory analysis.
Addressing Public Concerns Over Antibiotics
The minister acknowledged that the action follows public claims circulating that some eggs could potentially be unsafe or even carcinogenic, though he emphasized that there is “no cause for alarm at this stage.”
“There is information that a specific egg brand is using antibiotics. I have told officers of my department to get clear information about the content of the eggs,” Rao said.
While affirming that eggs are generally regarded as a healthy food, he stressed the need to address any doubts about quality through scientific rigor. “Egg is good for health, but if there is any confusion about its quality, then we need to get the information. I have told officers of my department. They have collected samples including Eggos,” he added, mentioning one of the specific products being tested.
Testing Drive and Timeline
Following Rao’s directions, FSSAI officials have intensified inspections, particularly focusing on the Greater Bengaluru Area.
- Sample Count: More than 150 egg samples have been collected across Karnataka so far, with approximately 50 samples taken from Bengaluru alone.
- Sampling Locations: Within the city, samples were gathered from over 50 points, including areas like RR Nagar, Kengeri, BTM Layout, Koramangala, Yeshwanthpur, Vasanth Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Chamarajpet, Hebbal, KR Puram, and along Mysuru Road.
- Timeline: According to officials, the safety and authenticity of the eggs are expected to be confirmed within 14 days, once the detailed laboratory analysis reports are received.
The current phase of testing is primarily focused on the specific brand initially mentioned in public reports within the Greater Bengaluru Area limits. Authorities plan to expand sample collection to other districts and test additional egg brands if any irregularities are detected in the initial findings.
Minister Reassures Consumers
Minister Rao sought to reassure consumers by referencing favorable results from previous rounds of testing.
“Last year in September and October, we collected 125 egg samples in the state. Out of that, 124 were found to be good, just one sample had the problem,” he noted.
The government has committed to waiting for the results of the current testing round and making the findings public once they are officially available.