The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stepped in to calm public concerns regarding the safety of eggs. Recent reports and social media posts suggested that eggs might contain harmful substances, specifically nitrofuran metabolites (AOZ), which are linked to cancer. However, FSSAI has strongly refuted these claims, calling them misleading and scientifically unfounded.
In a clear statement released on Saturday, December 20, 2025, the FSSAI reassured everyone that eggs available across India are safe to eat. The national food regulator clarified that no recognised health organisation, either in India or internationally, has ever proven a connection between eating eggs and an increased risk of cancer.
The controversy started after a report mentioned trace amounts of nitrofurans, a type of antibiotic, found in a batch of eggs from a well-known brand. FSSAI officials explained that the use of nitrofurans is strictly forbidden in poultry farming under Indian food safety laws. This ban applies to all stages, including the feed given to chickens.
To ensure the public’s trust and maintain a safe food supply, FSSAI had already asked its regional offices to test egg samples from all over the country. This includes both branded and unbranded eggs. This nationwide testing aims to confirm that all producers are following the safety rules.
FSSAI also provided technical details about residue limits. They mentioned an Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) of 1.0 μg/kg for nitrofuran metabolites. It’s important to understand that this limit is not a measure of safety but a benchmark for checking if the rules are being followed. It is the lowest level that advanced lab equipment can detect.
Finding very small amounts of these substances below the EMRL does not mean the food is unsafe. It does not pose a health risk to people. This approach is similar to how other countries, like those in the European Union and the United States, manage such findings. They use these low-level detections as signals to investigate further, not as proof of unsafe food.
Regarding the specific brand mentioned, FSSAI stated that occasional findings in certain batches can happen due to accidental contamination or issues with animal feed. It is wrong and unscientific to assume that such isolated incidents mean all eggs in the country are unsafe.
FSSAI urged consumers to get their information from reliable, science-based sources rather than reacting to sensational online content. They emphasised that eggs are a crucial part of a healthy diet, providing many essential nutrients. Eating eggs as part of a balanced meal is perfectly safe and beneficial for health.