20 tons of contaminated eggs sold in Denmark

World
Europe

A total of 20 tons of contaminated eggs have been sold in Denmark, which has become the latest country to be hit by Europe's escalating egg scandal, local media reported Thursday.

The eggs were contaminated with the insecticide Fipronil and mainly sold to Danish canteens and catering, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau, citing a press release by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.

Fipronil is a pesticide effective on a large number of pests. It is considered slightly poisonous by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is hence forbidden on animals destined for the food chain to prevent damage to the human liver, thyroid and kidney.

Hens at a poultry farm in Wortel near Antwerp, Belgium August 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍‍

Millions of eggs have been withdrawn from stores in Holland, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Britain in recent weeks due to the contamination.

The eggs were imported by Danish company Danaeg Products from a Belgian subcontractor, and they were originally from Holland, according to the Danish newspaper Politiken.

"The eggs are typically sold to canteens, kitchens, cafes and catering companies, and have hardly been sold in Danish retail stores," the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said in the press release.

This photo taken on August 8, 2017 in Alkmaar shows a warning letter reading "The Dutch agency for food security (NVWA) has announced that some eggs contain too high fipronil content. Keep close contact with the NVWA and our egg suppliers and pick up eggs listed by the NVWA list of the shelf." /AFP Photo

The administration however noted that it is not a health hazard, although samples have shown traces of fipronil in the eggs.

On Wednesday, 40 cooked eggs were found contaminated with fipronil at a bakery in Denmark.

Danish food authorities are closely monitoring the situation, saying that further investigations may result in more cases.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency