A recent study has uncovered a concerning trend in Hyderabad's low-income settlements, where children are being exposed to poor-quality and unsafe eggs through a loosely regulated supply chain. The research, published in the journal Food Security, was conducted by experts from the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, along with Royal Veterinary College, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Greenwich, and International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi.
Supply chain traced from farms to households
The study traced the entire egg supply chain from farms to households and Anganwadi centres across Telangana. It raised serious concerns about food safety, lack of oversight, and the impact on child nutrition in settlements such as Addagutta and Warasiguda, where many families depend on eggs as one of the few affordable protein sources for children.
Market dynamics favour larger eggs
Researchers interviewed farmers, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and egg industry representatives, besides conducting focus group discussions with pregnant and lactating mothers from the two settlements. They found that consumer demand for larger eggs heavily shapes the market. Larger eggs fetch higher prices and move faster through the supply chain, while smaller eggs are commonly redirected to Anganwadi centres supplying meals to children.
Allegations of exploitation
An egg industry representative quoted in the study alleged that some traders and farmers exploit the system by buying smaller eggs cheaply and supplying them to government nutrition programmes at full market rates. The researchers also discovered a parallel market for cracked eggs. Damaged eggs, instead of being discarded, are often consumed by farmers, sold to eateries, or offered at lower prices in poorer localities.
Bacterial contamination risk
The study warned that cracked shells increase the risk of bacterial contamination, including Salmonella, especially in households with limited access to clean water. Summer conditions further worsen the problem, as temperatures above 40°C reduce egg production and shorten shelf life, while the absence of cold storage across most of the supply chain increases spoilage risks.
The findings highlight the urgent need for stricter regulation and oversight of the egg supply chain to ensure the safety and quality of eggs reaching vulnerable populations.
