Premium egg brand Eggoz is facing reputational pressure after YouTube channel Trustified claimed blind lab tests of the company’s eggs revealed traces of AOZ, a metabolite of the banned antibiotic Nitrofuran. The report, which has gone viral across social media platforms, has raised questions about food safety, brand claims and regulatory oversight in India’s fast-growing branded protein market.
Trustworthy said a sample of Eggoz eggs showed AOZ levels of 0.73 parts per billion (ppb). While the amount found was minimal, the allegation struck at the heart of the company’s “100% antibiotic-free” stance — an attribute that has helped Eggoz carve out a premium niche in the highly disorganized egg industry.
Nitrofuran derivatives have been banned in poultry farming due to their potential carcinogenic risk. With consumers willing to pay higher prices to avoid antibiotic residues and contaminants from factory farming, the claim has drawn strong reactions online, including calls for clearer traceability and accountability.
Eggoz says the products remain compliant with FSSAI standards
In December, Eggoz released a detailed explanation on Instagram, claiming that its eggs remain safe for consumption and comply with the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The company said small, trace residues can occur due to environmental factors such as groundwater contamination and are not indicative of antibiotic use on farms.
“We take every care to maintain quality and safety throughout the value chain, including ensuring zero antibiotic use,” the company said in a statement. Eggoz has also announced that it has commenced further testing through an independent NABL accredited laboratory to provide further reassurance to consumers and stakeholders.
The firm followed up with an update on X (formerly Twitter) in the early hours of December 11, sharing direct links to its quality reports. Its website has since added publicly available lab reports, in what appears to be a move toward increased transparency.
Founder terms accusations of “disinformation”
Eggoz co-founder Abhishek Negi said the dispute had created panic among consumers that could have been avoided. In a detailed public comment, he described the claims as “disinformation and fear mongering” that have undermined the brand’s work over the past six years.
Negi reiterated the company’s stance that no banned antibiotics are used on Eggoz farms. “Ban means ban. There is no discussion, no exception, no jugaad,” he said. He added that the company was the first in India to implement 11 safety checks, herbal feed and batch-level transparency.
Negi said Eggoz shared its latest NABL-accredited laboratory reports, which it said showed no presence of banned substances, pesticides or heavy metals. The new batch has also been submitted for independent testing with results expected within a week.
