Salted and preserved eggs
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Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, July 12
Closer watch on salted eggs
Salted and preserved eggs will come under increased scrutiny from tomorrow as the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) introduces new requirements for the import of such food.
This is due to an increase in detection of prohibited colourings such as the cancer-causing Sudan Red in these eggs.
Revealing this yesterday at AVA's Food Safety Awards Night, Parliamentary Secretary for National Development, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, said that such eggs are to be imported from approved sources only, with each consignment being accompanied by a health certificate certifying that the egg products are free from Sudan Red.
So far, the AVA has approved 17 processing plants from China and three from Vietnam.
AVA has been testing the eggs for Sudan dyes here. If found to be contaminated, the consignment will be rejected and the processing plants suspended from exporting to Singapore.
This is one of the measures that the AVA has put in place to ensure food safety here.
Just last month, it suspended the import of eggs and poultry products from the bird flu affected the Malaysian state of Selangor.
"Given that Singapore imports more than 90 per cent of our food, we are especially vulnerable to occurrences of unsafe food overseas," Dr Maliki said.
"For instance, earlier this year, AVA had to recall imported contaminated peanut butter, baby food, smoked salmon and trout mousse. With the bird flu endemic in this region, our supply of poultry and eggs is also constantly under threat."
Globally, there has been a rise in concern over food scares and illnesses caused by unsafe food. According to the World Health Organisation, globally, 1.8 million people died in 2005 from diseases arising from the consumption of unsafe food.
Fortunately, local food producers are now more aware of food safety and quality, some 250 companies had implemented food safety assurance schemes last year. Up till June this year, another 40 companies had joined in. -
oh no, my salted eggs, my love!
with all these no wonder the price increase. for health reason, AVA will have to take precaution, understand!