Panic over fake egg rumors

The price of chicken eggs in the province has currently decreased by about 30-40% compared to the end of April. The reason, according to farmers and the agricultural sector, is due to information about fake chicken eggs spreading on social networks for nearly a month.

Since the beginning of May, information about fake eggs has been spreading on social networks, affecting the psychology of consumers and livestock farmers (Illustration photo)

Since the beginning of May, social networks have continuously appeared many false images and videos about fake chicken eggs and fake egg technology. This false information has caused confusion for consumers, and at the same time negatively affected cooperatives and households raising egg-laying chickens in the province. Fearing that buying fake chicken eggs will affect their health, many consumers have cut down on chicken eggs in their meals. Ms. Nguyen Thi Mau in Le Loi ward (Hung Yen city) said: Chicken eggs are a nutritious dish that my family, especially young children, love. However, with information on social networks that chicken eggs can be faked, my family has reduced their consumption of chicken eggs because of concerns... Meanwhile, many owners of egg-laying chicken farms in the province are in dire straits due to losses.

Harvesting chicken eggs at Nguyen Gia Livestock Cooperative (Kim Dong)

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue, Director of Nguyen Gia Livestock Cooperative, Chinh Nghia Commune (Kim Dong), one of the largest egg-laying chicken farms in the province, shared: For more than half a month now, the cooperative's egg sales have slowed down. Especially when rumors spread on social networks about fake chicken eggs, the price of eggs was only 1,300 VND/egg. In previous months, the price was 2,000 VND/egg. We are suffering heavy losses even though the consumers still continue to import goods because the cooperative's chicken eggs are certified with 4-star OCOP; certified to ensure food safety; have traceability stamps... "Previously, the cooperative sold about 60,000 chicken eggs to the market every day. Now, to reduce losses, the cooperative has reduced the flock, reducing egg production by 1/3." Mr. Tue added. Mr. Le Mong Long's family in Hoa Phong Commune (My Hao Town) is one of the households raising large Egyptian super-egg chickens in the area. Currently, the farm harvests an average of 10,000 eggs per day. In the first four months of the year, chicken eggs were purchased at an average price of 1,800 VND/egg. However, since the information about fake chicken eggs appeared on social networks, the selling price has dropped to 1,300 VND/egg, and the consumption market has also slowed down. Mr. Long said: With this selling price, my family is having to lose at least 2 million VND/day. Not only are livestock farmers facing difficulties, but small traders selling poultry eggs at traditional markets in the province are also affected by false rumors. As a small trader specializing in selling eggs at Tien Lu market (Tien Lu), Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa shared: Since the beginning of May, my chicken egg business has decreased by 30% - 40% of the quantity of goods. Despite having a reputation for many years and a clear origin of imported eggs, the spread of information about the production of fake eggs has caused many people to not choose this food, and purchasing power has decreased significantly. According to information from the Vietnam Poultry Association, currently, in the world, there is no scientific evidence of the production of fake eggs that have the same characteristics as natural chicken eggs. In fact, in our country, fake eggs have not been discovered circulating on the market. Information spread on social networks about the production of fake chicken eggs in the country is completely fabricated.

The egg-laying chicken farm of Ms. Le Thi Cham's family in Tan Dan commune (Khoai Chau) has reduced the flock.

The Vietnam Poultry Association recommends that authorities investigate, verify and strictly handle those who have spread false information about fake eggs.

According to data from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province is raising about 6.7 million chickens, with egg production reaching over 300 million eggs per year. In response to information circulating on social networks about chicken egg production, the industry encourages farmers to overcome difficulties, promote farming according to biosafety processes, with traceability, and provide clean egg products to consumers.