The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has completely rejected the recent cancer claims regarding eggs and has clarified that the eggs available in the country are completely safe and their consumption does not pose any health risk. In an official statement issued on Saturday (20 December 2025), FSSAI said that the claims linking eggs to cancer are not only misleading but are also completely devoid of scientific evidence and may spread unnecessary fear and confusion among the general public.
According to FSSAI, in recent times, through some reports and social media posts, it was being propagated that carcinogenic elements are present in eggs. In particular, claims were made regarding the presence of nitrofuran and its metabolites such as AOZ (3-amino-2-oxazolidinone). Responding to these allegations, FSSAI clarified that the use of Nitrofuran is strictly prohibited in any process of poultry and egg production in India.
The food safety regulatory body said that there is a strict ban on the use of nitrofuran and other similar antibiotics under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. If any producer or seller is found violating these rules, there is a provision for strict legal action against him. FSSAI also clarified that eggs and poultry products are regularly tested to ensure that they meet the prescribed food safety standards.
According to FSSAI officials, egg samples are tested from time to time through central and state level accredited laboratories across the country. The purpose of these testing procedures is to ensure that the eggs do not contain any banned chemicals, drug residues or toxic substances. In the investigation reports so far, no such carcinogenic element has been confirmed, which makes it clear that the fears being spread about eggs are completely baseless.
The authority has made a special appeal to consumers not to believe in unconfirmed news and rumors going viral on social media. FSSAI said that information spread without scientific basis can take people’s food and health decisions in the wrong direction. Spreading fear around a nutritious and affordable food item like eggs can be harmful to public health, especially for those sections of the society suffering from protein deficiency.
Health and nutrition experts say eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein. Nutrients like essential amino acids, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, phosphorus and selenium are found in abundance in them. Eggs play an important role in the physical and mental development of children, nutrition of pregnant women, health of the elderly and meeting the energy needs of sportspersons. FSSAI also reiterated that eggs have special importance in a balanced diet.
FSSAI also informed that continuous monitoring is done to prevent inappropriate use of antibiotics in the poultry sector. Training programs and guidelines are issued to make farmers and poultry producers aware so that there is no risk at any stage in the food chain. Apart from this, food safety officers are also regularly updated and trained, enabling them to conduct timely investigations and take action.
Many medical and food experts have also supported FSSAI’s stand on this issue. Experts say that the relationship between diet and cancer is definitely discussed in some international research, but presenting those studies in the wrong context or calling any one food item dangerous on the basis of them is scientifically wrong. Consuming eggs in balanced quantities can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
FSSAI finally clarified that consumers should rely only on official advice, proven scientific studies and information issued by recognized bodies. It is very important to check the facts before making fear-mongering claims about any food item. The authority assured that eggs available in the country are a completely safe, nutritious and an important part of a balanced diet.
Overall, this statement of FSSAI is an important step towards clearing the confusion spread regarding eggs. This not only provides confidence to consumers, but also ensures that decisions related to food safety are taken only on the basis of scientific facts. Even today, eggs remain an accessible, affordable and reliable source of nutrition for a large population of the country.
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