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Illegal colorant found in Vietnamese eggs
After the detection of an illegal colorant in eggs in
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, egg sales dropped with 50-70%. However, the test is
not considered representative and experts are now double checking the
findings.
About 2-3 months ago, a test confirmed eggs in Hanoi city were free from
the toxic colorant
sudan . Now, the
HCMC
Department of Sciences and Technology found the illegal colorant in six out
of 16 chicken and duck eggs. Some eggs even had 20,000 microgam/kg. The level
that is considered safe in Europe is less than 500 microgam/kg.
However, according to Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son from the department, the
tests were not comprehensive and not representative. He saisd that the small
amount of eggs tested only served to ring a bell so that relevant authorities
would get involved.
Last November, authorities in China discovered the substance in several of
its provinces. The department also suspects that the contaminated eggs in
Vietnam are illegally imported from China. Son said the substance could have
been added to make yolk look more colourful to attract buyers.
Pham Thi Huan, owner of a large, city-based egg supplier, said her sales
dropped 50% on the first day the finding was announced. She said all big egg
outlets bought eggs from large and trustworthy farms where animal feed were
carefully selected. They also have to supply certificates concerning the feed
origin and samples for testing.
A businessman in Dong Nai province near Ho Chi Minh City said he recently
had been offered cheap Chinese additives which hawkers said were able to make
yolk redder and chicken legs more yellow.
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Editor WorldPoultry
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