Eggs safe for consumption; cancer risk claims unfounded: FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday, December 20, 2025, stated that eggs available in the country are safe for human consumption and that recent claims linking eggs to the risk of cancer are misleading, scientifically unsupported and capable of creating unnecessary public alarm.

Responding to reports and social media posts claiming the presence of carcinogenic substances such as nitrofuran metabolites (AOZ) in eggs, FSSAI officials clarified that the use of nitrofuran is strictly prohibited at all stages of poultry and egg production under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.

According to FSSAI, an Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) of 1.0 µg/kg has been prescribed for nitrofuran metabolites for regulatory enforcement purposes only. This limit represents the minimum level that can be reliably detected by advanced laboratory methods and does not indicate that the substance is authorized for use. “The detection of trace residues below the EMRL does not constitute a food safety violation or imply any health risk,” an official said.

FSSAI also emphasized that India’s regulatory framework is in line with international practices. The European Union and the United States also ban the use of nitrofurans in food-producing animals and use reference points or guide values ​​for action only as enforcement tools. Differences in numerical benchmarks between countries reflect differences in analytical and regulatory approaches, not differences in consumer safety standards.

Regarding public health concerns, FSSAI cited scientific evidence showing that there is no established causal link between trace dietary exposure to nitrofuran metabolites and cancer or other adverse health outcomes in humans. The official reiterated that no national or international health authority has linked regular egg consumption to an increased risk of cancer.

Addressing reports regarding testing of a particular brand of eggs, officials explained that such detections are isolated and batch-specific, often resulting from unintentional contamination or feed-related factors, and are not representative of the overall egg supply chain in the country. “It is scientifically incorrect to generalize isolated laboratory findings to label eggs as unsafe,” the statement said.

Urging consumers to rely on verified scientific evidence and official recommendations, FSSAI reiterated that eggs remain a safe, nutritious and valuable component of a balanced diet when produced and consumed in accordance with food safety regulations.