They are the real thing. Preliminary tests on eggs seized from a market in Penang following the fake egg scare have shown them to be genuine.
The eggs, however, will still be sent for DNA tests to determine – once and for all – if they are fake.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the first tests found the protein content, yolk and shell’s calcium were no different from normal eggs. However, the ministry wanted to be certain.
“So, the Chemistry Department is now doing DNA tests on the eggs.
“This will determine, once and for all, whether they are real or fake,” Liow told reporters after opening the national-level World Health Day 2011 celebration here yesterday.
He said the final confirmation would be known today.
The eggs were seized following complaints by a housewife and the Consumers Association of Penang that fake eggs were being sold at the Pulau Tikus market.
However, the Penang Veterinary Department said on Saturday that the tests it conducted on 270 eggs found them to be genuine.
State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said he would wait for a second opinion from the Health Ministry.
Liow urged the public not to panic, saying that Malaysia did not import eggs but exported them.
“We did receive reports of fake eggs back in 2007, and after conducting checks, found that there was no problem with those eggs,” he said.
Regarding the celebration, themed Combat Drug Resistance: No Action Today, No Cure Tomorrow, Liow said it was to protect public health by taking steps to ensure medicine remained effective without resistance.
He said antibiotic usage was still under control and there was no report of Vancomycin Resistant Staph Aureus, a problem that had become serious in other countries.
