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21 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernanceScience & TechnologySocial IssuesNEWS

FSSAI Debunks Cancer Risk Claims, Declares Eggs Safe for Consumption

FSSAI clarifies eggs are safe, dismissing unfounded cancer risk claims.

FSSAI Debunks Cancer Risk Claims, Declares Eggs Safe for Consumption

Photo by Walter Otto

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a clarification, stating that claims linking egg consumption to cancer risk are unfounded and that eggs are safe for consumption. This comes after certain reports or social media rumors suggested such a link, causing public concern.

FSSAI emphasized that eggs are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are a vital part of a balanced diet. This intervention by FSSAI is crucial to dispel misinformation and ensure public health, highlighting the role of regulatory bodies in maintaining food safety standards and consumer confidence.

मुख्य तथ्य

1.

FSSAI declared eggs safe for consumption

2.

Debunked claims linking egg consumption to cancer risk

3.

Eggs are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Role and mandate of statutory bodies (FSSAI)

2.

Food safety regulatory framework in India

3.

Consumer protection and public health

4.

Combating misinformation and fake news

5.

Nutritional guidelines and balanced diet

दृश्य सामग्री

FSSAI's Recent Public Health & Safety Interventions (2018-2025)

This timeline highlights FSSAI's proactive role in promoting public health and ensuring food safety, culminating in the recent clarification on egg consumption.

FSSAI, since its operationalization in 2008, has continuously evolved its approach from mere regulation to proactive public health promotion. The 'Eat Right India' movement marked a significant shift towards consumer awareness and behavior change, which is now complemented by regulatory actions like addressing misinformation.

  • 2018Launch of 'Eat Right India' Movement to promote healthy eating habits.
  • 2019Introduction of Hygiene Rating Scheme for food businesses to improve hygiene standards.
  • 2020Issued comprehensive food safety guidelines and advisories during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2022Finalization of Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL) regulations for packaged foods (implementation ongoing).
  • 2024Enhanced vigilance and campaigns against food adulteration and misleading advertisements.
  • 2025FSSAI Debunks Cancer Risk Claims, Declares Eggs Safe for Consumption.
और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to consolidate various acts and orders that had hitherto handled food-related issues in various Ministries and Departments. It aims to lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

FSSAI recently issued a clarification debunking claims linking egg consumption to cancer risk, reaffirming eggs as a safe and nutritious food source. This intervention highlights FSSAI's proactive role in combating misinformation and ensuring public health and consumer confidence, especially in the age of rapid digital information dissemination.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): 1. It is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 2. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 3. Its primary role includes setting science-based standards for food articles and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct: FSSAI is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Statement 2 is incorrect: FSSAI functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Statement 3 is correct: Its primary role is indeed to set science-based standards and regulate various aspects of food to ensure safety and wholesomeness.

2. In the context of food safety and regulatory mechanisms in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, repealed several older food-related laws, including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. FSSAI is responsible for the accreditation of laboratories for food testing across the country. 3. The Chairperson of FSSAI is appointed by the President of India. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct: The FSS Act, 2006, was a consolidating act that repealed various older laws like the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, etc. Statement 2 is correct: FSSAI is indeed responsible for the accreditation of laboratories for food testing to ensure quality and reliability of results. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Chairperson of FSSAI is appointed by the Central Government (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), not directly by the President of India.

3. Which of the following statements best describes the 'Codex Alimentarius Commission' in the context of global food standards?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. It develops harmonized international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade. Options B, C, and D describe incorrect or incomplete roles.

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