49 samples collected across J&K after earlier cancer-scare claims
Srinagar : The first batch of egg samples collected from various parts of Srinagar has been found safe for consumption and compliant with the standards of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), officials said on Friday.
Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Srinagar, Yameen ul Nabi said that eight samples collected from supermarkets and wholesalers in the city were found to be of standard quality.
“The results came late last evening, and all samples have been declared fit for human consumption,” he said.
The officer said that both loose and packaged eggs were taken during routine surveillance drives aimed at ensuring the safety of food items sold in local markets. “The tests confirm that eggs available in Srinagar meet FSSAI standards,” he added.
Meanwhile, a senior official from Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kashmir said that a total of 49 egg samples were collected from across Jammu and Kashmir. “This is the first batch of reports received, which have come safely,” she said, adding that three to four more batches are still pending.
The official further said that the samples were collected as part of a wider quality assurance initiative launched after misleading social media posts claimed that eggs contained cancer-causing substances.
In its clarification issued last month, the FSSAI had described the viral claims as “misleading, scientifically unsupported and capable of creating unnecessary public alarm”. The regulator reaffirmed that the use of nitrofurans is prohibited in poultry and egg production and that trace residues below detection limits do not pose any health risk.
Officials said the ongoing testing and surveillance are aimed at reinforcing public confidence in food safety and preventing the spread of misinformation.
“We appeal to the public and media to share only verified updates and avoid amplifying unverified content,” Nabi said. “Such drives will continue to safeguard public health and ensure that the food available in markets remains safe and of standard quality.”
