DFA Commissioner urges calm over egg safety reports, says testing underway
Srinagar, Dec 13: Commissioner, Drug and Food Administration (DFA), Jammu and Kashmir, Smita Sethi urged the public not to panic over reports of adulterated eggs, saying that investigations are underway and no eggs from the company Eggoz have been found in Kashmir so far.
Sethi said that unnecessary panic would only create confusion and worsen the situation. She said the department is actively working on the issue and laboratory reports will determine the actual status of egg samples being collected. “Let the reports come. We are working on it and will inform the public accordingly,” she said.
The Commissioner said that a special drive to collect egg samples is currently underway and will continue for another two to three days. She said samples collected will be tested in accredited laboratories to determine whether they are fit for human consumption or contaminated. “So far, we have not found egg products from Eggoz company in Kashmir, and we do not even know the source of these reports,” she added.
Sethi said the department will also examine the feed being given to hens, including the use of antibiotics. She clarified that while antibiotics are permitted within prescribed limits, any violation beyond the allowed threshold will invite strict action. “We do not yet know whether this is a stray incident or a regular feature. It will take at least two weeks for the full picture to emerge,” she said.
Citing previous enforcement actions, the Commissioner said the department regularly conducts tests even if they do not always become public. She recalled that action was taken earlier against specific batches of Priya Gold biscuits and Ajwa drinking water after laboratory testing. “An adulterated batch does not mean the entire supply chain of a product is unsafe,” she said.
She explained that prohibitions are imposed batch-wise and district-wise based on laboratory findings. “Every supplier has a batch number and such batches are usually limited to specific districts, not across the entire Union Territory,” she said, adding that a UT-wide ban is issued only when contamination is established at a larger scale. “If required, I will personally issue a UT-wide ban order,” she said.
Sethi reiterated that all testing is being conducted in accredited laboratories and assured that the public will be informed transparently about any contaminated products. She again appealed to people not to panic, saying the department is closely monitoring the situation and will take action wherever violations are confirmed. [KNT]
