Do Eggs Cause Cancer? Nitrofuran Traces Spark Safety Concerns—What You Should Do

A premium egg-selling company has landed in a hot soup after a YouTube video went viral, claiming that their sample had tested positive for Nitrofuran. The chemical is a broad-spectrum antibiotic but is banned due to concerns about potential carcinogenicity and persistent residues. Many studies have also pointed out that nitrofuran and its metabolites can cause cancer.The controversy began when Trustified shared a video that claims to have found illegal and genotoxic substances in eggs produced by Eggoz Nutrition – leading to questions being raised on the nutritional value of eggs being sold by the brand. Arpit Mangal, who runs the social media channel, reported that egg samples sold under Eggoz were loaded with AOZ, which indicated possible

previous exposure to nitrofuran antibiotics during the production cycle of the birds. The YouTuber also shared a reel on Instagram, which said, “Real Egg vs ‘Plastic Egg’ Claims - Lab Test Teaser. When was the last time you questioned the quality of your eggs? We took a deep dive into Eggoz, the brand everyone knows, and ran a test that’s never been done before. The results left us shocked.”

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Doctors advise caution

According to experts, eggs – one of the best sources of protein – are consumed widely across the world, but AOZ traces in them can be alarming. However, it is also important to interpret the findings with scientific clarity. “As of now, we do not need to get concerned, because it is well within the permissible limits, as with this much minute amount, there is no risk of cancer,” Dr Sudhir Kumar, senior consultant Neurologist, Apollo Hospital, told Times Now. "Eggs definitely have lots of benefits; they are a good source of protein and have vitamins, including B12. So, as of now, people should consume, but just that they should make sure that, yes, they are from a trusted source, and there should definitely be awareness that even good brands can have chemicals,” he added.

https://youtu.be/WWnBk0RfcWk?si=WLEtzUy_vnCDekIm

What is AOZ?

AOZ, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone, is a metabolite linked to nitrofurans, a group of antibiotics that are not meant to be used in poultry because of their potential to cause cellular and DNA-related damage when consumed in significant and prolonged quantities. However, the presence of trace amounts in an isolated sample does not translate into eggs being inherently cancer-causing or unsafe for the general population. According to experts, AOZ binds to animal tissues and persists long after the original drug has broken down, which is why regulators treat it as a marker showing that nitrofurans were used. Research has linked nitrofurans and their metabolites to potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in animals, prompting strict bans on their use in food-producing animals in many countries.

Why are nitrofurans banned?

Nitrofurans were once widely used in poultry, pigs, shrimp, and other livestock because they are cheap and highly effective. But they metabolise quickly into tissue-bound residues like AOZ, AMOZ, AHD, and SEM, which can remain detectable for weeks. Because these residues may pose health risks to consumers and make it hard to control illegal use, regulators in the EU and elsewhere now rely on sensitive lab tests that look specifically for these metabolites in meat, eggs, honey, and seafood.