February 6, 2007

Vietnam's egg markets affected by carcinogenic dye
 

News about the discovery of Sudan Red IV colourant in eggs in Vietnam has caused egg sales to plummet.

Since a brighter and deep yellow yolk is believed to be a sign of healthy eggs, unscrupulous farmers add the dye to food for poultry in order to create an egg with that colour. However, the dye is known to have carcinogenic properties and has been banned in food of any type.

The owner of a 50,000 egg-laying hen farm in the Tien Giang Province, said that the number of sold eggs had decreased by 30-40 percent since news broke about the Sudan colourant.

Companies have also broken off contracts for salted eggs after the incident.

Some farm owners said authorities should declare the names of the establishments that provide eggs with toxic substances so as to limit the damage to others. 

When asked about the quality of poultry eggs being sold in the HCM City market, Huynh Huu Loi, Head of the HCM City Veterinary Sub-department, said that the city had asked egg trading and processing establishments to sign contracts with farms in order to ensure the origin of eggs. However, he conceded there are as yet loopholes and difficulties.