Food regulator FSSAI rejects cancer claims regarding egg consumption.
Recent social media rumors and unverified news reports suggesting that eggs cause cancer have been officially debunked. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a strong clarification on Saturday, assuring citizens that egg safety in India remains intact. The regulator labeled these viral health claims as unscientific and warned that they serve only to create unnecessary panic among the public.
The controversy stemmed from reports alleging the presence of carcinogenic substances, specifically nitrofuran metabolites, in commercial eggs. However, FSSAI officials clarified that nitrofurans are strictly prohibited in Indian poultry and egg production under the 2011 food safety regulations. While a limit of 1.0 µg/kg exists, it is purely a benchmark for laboratory enforcement rather than a safety threshold. Finding trace residues below this level does not indicate a health risk or a violation of food safety.
India’s approach to poultry production standards is consistent with global practices in the United States and the European Union. These regions also use reference levels as enforcement tools to detect prohibited substances. FSSAI emphasized that different numerical limits in various countries are the result of different testing technologies, not a difference in safety priorities.
Regarding public health, the regulator noted that no scientific evidence connects low-level dietary exposure to these metabolites with cancer in humans. No major health organization, domestic or international, has found a link between eating eggs and an increased risk of malignancy. Healthy egg consumption continues to be recommended as part of a balanced diet.
Addressing specific reports about certain egg brands, officials stated that isolated findings often result from accidental feed contamination. Such batch-specific issues should not be used to judge the entire industry. Consumers are encouraged to trust verified scientific data rather than social media speculation. Eggs remain a vital and safe source of protein for families across the country.
