Egg and Egg Product Testing

Lipiec, E., Siara, G., Bierla, K., Ouerdane, L., & Szpunar, J. (2010). Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 397, 731-741.

Chicken eggs are one of the most popular animal-derived food products and a versatile ingredient used in many branches of home cooking and modern food industry. Since most people consume eggs regularly, eggs can be considered good candidates for functional foods when they are enriched with essential micronutrients or molecules beneficial to health. Due to the physiological embryo protection mechanism, the concentrations of trace metals in eggs are virtually impossible to increase through supplementation, while the concentration of selenium is considered easy to manipulate as it becomes incorporated into egg proteins. In fact, selenium-enriched eggs are currently being marketed in many countries. However, the lack of strict monitoring of the selenium enrichment factors in marketed eggs has led to quality control issues.

Teglia, C. M., Gonzalo, L., Culzoni, M. J., et al. Food chemistry 273 (2019): 194-202.

The use of veterinary drugs in the production of animal-derived foods is a common practice around the world. Veterinary drug active ingredients (AI) are used for various purposes, such as controlling diseases or as growth promoters, through direct consumption or mixing with feed. Today, the concern lies in the presence of AI in tissues (such as eggs, milk, etc.) because the impact of AI residues on human health is still not fully understood. For example, the presence of AI can cause allergic reactions or induce pathogen resistance. AI intake can also occur due to cross-contamination throughout the entire production process, increasing the presence of harmful veterinary drugs in food. Therefore, to ensure human food safety, many countries have established maximum residue limits (MRL) for different AI. In certain cases, drugs that may have carcinogenic, genotoxic, or immunotoxic effects are implemented with zero tolerance. Based on these facts, some countries strive to monitor the levels of harmful substances residues in animal-derived products to keep them at toxicologically acceptable levels.

Cheng, Y., & Dong, Y. (2011). Food Control, 22(5), 685-689.

In October 2008, the Hong Kong Department of Food Safety found that eggs from mainland China were contaminated with melamine. The issue of melamine contamination in eggs has become a major concern, especially after the melamine contamination incidents in Chinese infant formula and American pet food in 2007, which raised global awareness of the safety of egg products. Although melamine is not inherently carcinogenic, daily consumption of egg products contaminated with melamine can lead to urinary tract stones, acute kidney failure, and even death in humans. Therefore, testing for melamine contaminants is crucial for quality control and market regulation of egg products.