When it comes to eggs, they are often considered as a superfood rich in protein and other necessary nutrients. And from weight loss to boosting metabolism eggs are helpful in many ways. And for the unversed, protein is the building block of the human body, which helps in building, repairing, and maintaining tissues. It forms the foundation of muscles, skin, hair, and even enzymes and hormones that regulate key bodily functions. It works like fuel that keeps you active and charged throughout the day. And thanks to e-commerce sites, now eggs are available at a single click. However, there has been an alarming concern by the food regulator the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as there have been many complaints on poor quality eggs being sold via e-commerce sites. According to a PTI report, FSSAI has sought an explanation from quick-commerce player Blinkit regarding consumer complaints about the sale of poor-quality eggs on its platform.
What was the problem
Many consumers have complained about bad odour and rubber-like texture of egg, they said, adding that e-commerce companies are also responsible for quality of products sold on their platforms.
What did FSSAI ask for?
According to PTI, FSSAI has taken ‘suo-moto cognizance’ of customer complaints on social media platforms and has written to Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd on Friday, directing them to send “comprehensive ATR (action taken report)” within a week regarding these complaints. In an advisory dated December 3, 2024, FSSAI had said, “Considering the growth of e-commerce in the Food Sector, compliance by e-commerce food business operators becomes crucial for ensuring the safety, quality, and authenticity of food products being sold online.” Any product claims made on e-commerce platforms must be fully aligned with the information provided on the product’s physical label, it had said.
What’s more?
E-commerce FBOs (food business operators) should have mechanisms in place to ensure that products listed on their platforms are in compliance with FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. They should not list any food business operator (seller) on its platform without displaying their valid FSSAI License or Registration.
How to maintain freshness of eggs
According to FSSAI, eggs maintain their freshness for up to 10-12 days, after they are laid, at a room temperature of about (28±2°C), but the shelf life will be shorter at higher temperatures. The important factor in maintaining egg freshness is mainly temperature while humidity also affects it to some extent.It also states that when storing eggs in the refrigerator, keeping them in designated shelves or egg cases is the best way to maintain their freshness.To maintain egg freshness and performance, buy the eggs from stores that keep them at cooler temperatures or stores that keep them in well ventilated covered places and maintain ambient temperature.Consumers should strictly avoid handling eggs roughly and leaving them in hot vehicles or places where temperatures are very high. Refrigerate the eggs once you reach home.
How to do egg quality check at home
According to a FSSAI YouTube video, one can easily test eggs for good quality at home. And to do so, all you need to do is, take a container filled with water, immerse an egg into the container. Now observe the position of the egg. If the egg is fresh it will be placed at the bottom width wise. If the egg is slightly older, it will be placed at the bottom on one end. And if the egg is rotten, it will float on the surface. The video further explains that as an egg ages, the air pocket inside it grows larger, as water is released and replaced by air. Thus, an old egg floats.
Importance of eggs in diet
As per experts, eating one egg daily can give your body as much as 75–76 calories, 7-8 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, and 1.6 grams of saturated fat, along with a plethora of nutrients that not only help in building muscles and boosting immunity but also help in the regeneration of cells and tissues. As per experts, with over 6g of protein per egg, it makes for the perfect choice to meet almost half the recommended dietary intake for toddlers and almost a third of the recommended dietary intake for older children.
3 common ways to enjoy eggs
Masala Egg Bhurji: It is one of the classic egg preparations, where scrambled eggs are cooked along with onions, tomatoes, chillies, and basic Indian spices. It is best served with toast or plain paratha.Veggie Omelette: It refers to a fluffy omelette loaded with onions, capsicum, tomatoes, and coriander and cooked in ghee, butter or oil and makes for a wholesome and filling meal that is commonly served with toast.Boiled Eggs with Spices: This is mostly enjoyed by gym goers were hard-boiled eggs are sliced and topped with chaat masala, pepper, green chilli, coriander leaves and lemon for a quick protein-packed plate.
