The Great Egg Conundrum: Unscrambling the Facts

Rumor Has It

Within days, videos with titles such as “Fake Rubber Eggs” and “Egg Whites Like Glue” garnered hundreds of thousands of views and shares. Notably, most of these clips lacked scientific evidence or official verification from authorities. However, the power of social media ensured that sensational content quickly attracted attention, inadvertently sowing seeds of doubt among consumers.

On May 17, the Vietnam Poultry Association sent an official letter to the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, requesting an investigation into individuals and organizations spreading false information about fake eggs. This move aimed to protect consumers and millions of poultry farmers nationwide.

According to the Vietnam Poultry Association, since the spread of these unfounded rumors, the purchasing price of eggs at many farms across the country, which was already below production cost (around 1,400-1,500 VND/egg), has dropped further to 1,200-1,300 VND/egg. Additionally, production and business entities are facing significant challenges in product consumption. Many businesses and poultry farmers are suffering heavy losses and are at risk of bankruptcy.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Poultry Association, emphasized: “To date, there is no scientific evidence of producing artificial chicken eggs with characteristics similar to natural eggs anywhere in the world. In Vietnam, neither in the past nor at present, have we detected artificial eggs in the market. Therefore, we can assert that the information spreading on social media about the production of artificial eggs in Vietnam is completely fabricated.”

In response to this situation, the Vietnam Poultry Association urged relevant authorities to investigate, verify, and strictly handle individuals and organizations spreading false information about fake eggs. These actions not only cause public concern but also severely impact the poultry industry.

The Truth About Fake Eggs

Chicken eggs are a staple food in the daily diet of Vietnamese people. However, many are easily influenced by unusual sights, such as double yolks, abnormally colored eggs, or thick egg whites resembling gel… unaware that these could be perfectly normal physiological occurrences in poultry farming.

According to Dr. Hoang Tuan Thanh, Director of the Vigova Center, Southern Branch of the Livestock Research Institute: “Double yolk eggs are a normal physiological phenomenon in poultry. The natural occurrence of double yolk eggs in chickens is very low. In farming, it is almost impossible to intervene naturally to increase the incidence of double yolk eggs because it is related to the ovulation process in chickens. Artificial insemination methods are also impractical due to high costs.”

From an economic perspective, Mr. Nguyen Tri Cong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, asserted: “The domestic egg production is substantial, and the cost is low. Dong Nai alone supplies approximately 111 million eggs per month. Due to the large supply, egg prices in Vietnam are relatively affordable, allowing even low-income individuals to consume eggs daily. Counterfeiters typically target high-value items to maximize profits, so no one would bother creating fake eggs.”

In this age of thriving social media, consumers must enhance their awareness and responsibly filter information. Instead of being swayed by unverified rumors, consumers should opt for trusted sources with food safety certifications and clear origins. Only by maintaining and spreading trust in domestic agricultural products can we foster a healthy and sustainable environment.