Dozens of dyed eggs which are made to look like local eggs and sold at higher prices were seized from the tribal market in Imphal East by officials of the state food safety department on Wednesday.
Those found involved in dyeing of eggs will be punished under the Food Safety Standard Act, 2006, said designated officer Food Safety Administration, Tekcham Brojendro Khaba Meitei. He was speaking at a press conference held at Lamphel in Imphal.
Brojendro said three dozen dyed eggs were seized by officials of Food Safety from Tribal market, Imphal East. He said that eggs, which are laid in poultry farms outside and brought into the state, cost about Rs.20 per three pieces whereas eggs laid by privately reared chickens and local poultry farms are sold at Rs.100 per six-seven pieces.
To get more profits, some individuals dye imported eggs to make them look like local eggs and are being sold at higher rates in the markets, he added.
Some egg lovers prefer local eggs as it has more nutritive values compared to the imported farm eggs, he said. Chemical might be used to dye the eggs and if people consume such eggs, then it could cause health hazards, he added.
How to detect dyed eggs
Brojendro further said the egg consumers need to be cautious while buying local eggs. To find out if eggs are dyed, a customer needs to carry some spirit or lemon while buying them from the market. The dyed colours will come off when the eggs are rubbed with cotton dipped with spirit or with a piece of lemon, he said.
How to preserve eggs
According to the Food Safety, egg retailers or wholesalers should maintain temperature while preserving the eggs, else they are spoiled within 31 days if the temperature is not maintained properly.
Stringent action against dyeing of eggs
Brojendro warned that if any individual is found selling dyed eggs, they will be punished under Food Safety Standard Act, 2006.
As a part of the conference, officials of Food Safety demonstrated how to identify dyed eggs and genuine local eggs with spirit and lemon test. State health director K Rajo also attended the conference held on Wednesday.
