MINSK, 21 September (BelTA) - The Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) tested Belarusian powdered eggs used in food industry, BelTA learned from the website of the Russian agency.
“No excessive levels of fipronil and its derivatives have been detected in Belarusian-made powdered eggs,” the post on the website reads.
Rospotrebnadzor keeps an eye on the consumer market after some eggs sold in Europe were found to contain the insecticide fipronil. The agency's laboratories have also tested eggs of Russia's largest poultry farms Roskar, Volzhanin, and Belyanka. The tests have not shown excessive levels of fipronil and its derivatives, the products are safe for consumers.
BelTA reported earlier that the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry had noted the country does not import eggs from Europe. “Belarus does not import eggs. The country is self-sufficient in this product. Moreover, we export approximately 60% of the eggs we produce,” the ministry said.
According to news reports, several million eggs in shops and warehouses in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, France, and the UK were found to have high levels of fipronil. Contaminated eggs were later found in 15 EU and non-EU states.
Fipronil is used to get rid of lice, fleas and ticks. The substance is prohibited for all food-producing animals. According to the World Health Organization, it can cause liver, kidney and thyroid damage.
