THE HAGUE, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) announced Tuesday there would be more product codes for eggs found to contain the harmful substance Fipronil.
White eggs coded 2-NL-4015502 "contain such a high amount of Fipronil that they create an immediate threat to public health in case of consumption," the NVWA said.
Eggs with many other codes have a Fipronil level higher than the daily maximum allowable quantity in case of prolonged consumption by children. As a precaution, the NVWA advises parents not to let their children eat these eggs.
The warning was triggered as Fipronil was found in egg samples in stores and at poultry farms where a company called Chickfriend performed a treatment against blood lice. Fipronil is believed to have been used during this treatment.
Fipronil is an insecticide often used in veterinary medicine to ward off fleas, mites and ticks. The use of the substance on animals destined for the food chain is not allowed.
By Monday, about 180 poultry industry farms had been blocked because of the suspected use of Fipronil, and their eggs are being examined. If the eggs are found to contain the substance, farmers have to remove them from the trade chain.
The NVWA keeps a list of codes of the eggs concerned updated on its website.
The World Health Organization considers Fipronil "moderately toxic" for humans. When consumed in large quantities, it could damage kidneys, liver, or thyroid.
