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Singapore Suspends Sales by Major Egg Supplier

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

The Singapore Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority suspended sales from the N&N Agriculture Farm after a routine July 17 inspection found residue of the antibiotic doxycycline in the eggs.

All eggs produced by N&N are currently being detained, and will be destroyed under the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's supervision.  In a statement, the Singapore food safety agency said the suspension would remain in place until the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority is satisfied that the farm has fully complied with its requirements.

When the agency ordered the farm to suspend its sales, supermarkets and other retail outlets were also required to withdraw the eggs from sale.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said consumers who ate N&N eggs should not be alarmed.   

"The levels of doxycycline in the eggs that tested positive were low, and will not have any adverse health effect unless consumed over a prolonged period," the agency's statement said.  "Taking such eggs occasionally or over a short term will not be a concern.  Consumers who have bought N&N eggs are advised not to consume them."

N&N produces about 9 percent of Singapore's egg supply.  The city-state should not experience any shortages as other local farms and accredited farms in nearby Malaysia are expected to make up any shortfall.

Singapore consumes about 4 million eggs a day, and local farms supply about 23 percent of the market.

Chickens under treatment for bacterial infections with antibiotics like doxycycline cannot be sold until they go through a withdrawal period.  Singapore has a zero tolerance policy for the antibiotic in eggs.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on July 26, 2010 (boomark / email).