A scandal involving insecticide-contaminated eggs has gripped as many as 15 countries in Europe, the scare has now spread to Hong Kong in Asia as well.
Insecticide-contaminated egg scare
High alert has been issued, after it was found out that the eggs, coming mainly from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France, were found to contain fipronil, a toxic insecticide. Fipronil is commonly used to kill fleas, lice and ticks on animals, but is banned from being used to treat animals meant for human consumption.
It is believed that fipronil was used to combat lice in some chicken farms, thereby affecting the eggs of those hens. According to the BBC, farms in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France were shut down after it was confirmed that fipronil had been used.
Almost 15 countries, including the UK, Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Denmark and Switzerland have been affected. And now, it has been revealed that the eggs were also dispatched to Hong Kong, pulling Asia into the crisis as well.
According to the World Health Organization, fipronil can damage kidneys, liver and thyroid glands if eaten in large quantities.
Authorities are currently investigating the scandal.
AVA Singapore issues statement
Meanwhile, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has informed that eggs sold in Singapore are safe for consumption.
In a Facebook post, the AVA clarified that, “With the ongoing tainted eggs issue in Europe, there may be concerns on the safety of eggs sold in Singapore. Singapore does not import eggs from the affected countries in Europe.”
The AVA informs, “Our egg supply comes from local and Malaysian hen egg farms. We regularly inspect and conduct sampling of the eggs and hen farms to ensure compliance with our food safety and animal health standards and requirements.”
“In view of the recent issue of fipronil contamination, we have tested locally produced and imported eggs, and found them free from fipronil.”
“We will continue to monitor the situation in Europe and work with stakeholders to ensure eggs in Singapore are safe for consumption.”
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(Source: BBC)