'All the eggs are normal', say tests

After carrying out necessary tests, the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences confirmed that there was "no existence of any plastic egg and were normal in biological origin".

It may be recalled that on March 30 there was a complaint of "plastic eggs" being sold in different markets of the state. Subsequently, steps were taken to undertake necessary tests to ascertain the genuinity of the complaint.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation had collected samples of 38 eggs from different markets and the Animal Resource Development department had sent the samples to the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences.

Scientists conducted tests in the Laboratory of Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences for three consecutive days from March 31. Around 22 tests including examination of internal quality of the egg yolk, molecular weight of albumin by page electrophoresis, fatty acid estimation of the egg and total protein and quantification of albumin were being carried out.

The tests revealed that "all the eggs were normal in biological origin and there is no existence of any plastic egg in the seized samples".

At the same time, sensory evaluations were also being conducted on fried and boiled eggs. Tests confirmed "the originality of the eggs and its biological character. Moreover, DNA test was conducted using PCR technique to identify the origin of the eggs by chicken specific primer. It revealed that all the examined eggs are of hens in origin. There was a strong rumour that "plastic eggs" were being sold at different markets and it led to panic among people. Local civic bodies had carried out raids in markets and samples were checked and sent for necessary tests. Finally, it came to an end with the statement of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she said that there was no problem with the eggs produced in Bengal.