In a viral YouTube video, Trustified alleged traces of banned nitrofuran metabolite AOZ in Eggoz eggs, sparking panic and boycott calls. Founder Abhishek Negi countered with clean lab reports, denying any antibiotic use amid FSSAI silence.
The controversy erupted on 10 December 2025 when YouTuber Arpit Mangal’s channel Trustified released a video titled exposing “cancer-causing antibiotics” in Eggoz Nutrition’s eggs.
The footage detailed lab tests on samples bought from Delhi and Gurugram stores, claiming 0.73 µg/kg of AOZ-a metabolite of nitrofuran antibiotics banned in India since 2002. Nitrofurans, once widely used in poultry to treat infections, were prohibited due to their potential carcinogenic effects and role in fostering antibiotic resistance.
The video, which racked up over 500,000 views within days, showed dramatic visuals of egg testing kits turning positive, fuelling social media outrage. Consumers flooded Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) with photos of discarded Eggoz packs, questioning the safety of their breakfast staple.
Hashtags like #BoycottEggoz and #ToxicEggs trended, amplifying unfounded links to cancer despite experts noting that trace metabolites do not equate to immediate health risks.
Eggoz, a Gurugram-based startup founded in 2017 by IIT Kanpur alumnus Abhishek Negi, positions itself as a premium, farm-to-fork brand promising “100% antibiotic-free” eggs with full traceability via QR codes on packaging.
The company supplies over 50,000 eggs daily to urban households, gyms, and cafes across North India, carving a niche in the Rs 1.2 lakh crore poultry market dominated by unbranded loose eggs. Priced 20-30% higher than regulars, Eggoz emphasises ethical farming, cage-free conditions, and nutrition-focused breeds.
Prior to this row, the brand enjoyed FSSAI certifications and positive reviews for transparency, but online scrutiny has tested its reputation before-once over pricing complaints. This incident highlights the fragility of direct-to-consumer models in an era of influencer-driven accountability.
Negi’s Swift Rebuttal with Lab Data
Abhishek Negi broke his silence hours after the video went viral, posting detailed responses on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. On 11 December, he shared fresh reports from NABL-accredited labs like Equinox and Shriram Institute, dated as recent as November 2025, showing zero detectable levels of banned substances, pesticides, or heavy metals in Eggoz samples.
“No antibiotics, banned or otherwise are ever used on our farms. This is our life’s work,” Negi declared, attributing any trace AOZ to environmental contamination from feed, water, or soil rather than direct administration.
He clarified that Eggoz’s own tests detected 0.5 µg/kg in some batches-below FSSAI’s maximum residue limit of 1 µg/kg for nitrofuran metabolites-but insisted on a strict zero-tolerance policy aligning with their branding.
Negi challenged Trustified’s methodology, noting their private lab’s limit of quantification at 0.4 µg/kg might flag negligible traces amplified by social media.
“Misinformation spreads faster than facts; we invite independent verification,” he urged, offering free testing kits and farm visits. The founder’s personal story added a human touch: from quitting a high-paying job to building a sustainable poultry venture employing hundreds of farmers, Negi embodies the startup hustle now under fire.
Sales reportedly dipped 20-30% in affected cities per industry whispers, underscoring the economic sting of viral backlash.
Science Behind Nitrofuran Concerns
Nitrofurans like furazolidone were staples in Indian poultry farming until the 2002 ban, enforced globally by bodies like the EU and Codex Alimentarius over persistent metabolites in animal tissues. AOZ, the marker for furazolidone, lingers for months post-exposure, raising alarms for long-term carcinogenicity in high doses.
FSSAI sets a 1 µg/kg threshold, but premium brands like Eggoz aim for undetectable levels to assuage health-conscious buyers.
Experts, including orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Anuj Tyagi in a Times of India interview, cautioned against panic: “Trace AOZ in eggs won’t cause cancer from occasional consumption; focus on overall diet.” A Moneycontrol report on 12 December echoed this, with a doctor warning of one substance but stressing moderation.
India’s egg sector, producing 140 billion annually, grapples with lax enforcement in unorganised segments where antibiotics curb mortality. Branded players like Eggoz invest in veterinary oversight and probiotics, but supply chain gaps persist.
No other brands faced similar accusations in this wave, isolating the issue to Eggoz. As of 12 December, FSSAI had not issued a public statement, though sources hinted at sample collections in Delhi-NCR. This regulatory lag fuels debates on faster response mechanisms.
Broader Implications for Food Trust
The Eggoz saga mirrors rising consumer activism via YouTube and Reels, where influencers play whistleblower but risk oversimplification. Trustified, known for product exposés, defended their tests as consumer empowerment, yet Negi accused them of selective reporting.
In a market shifting to health-focused foods post-COVID, such rows erode confidence, potentially benefiting black-market alternatives. Poultry bodies like the National Egg Coordination Committee called for calm, urging reliance on certified labs over DIY kits.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This clash reveals the double-edged sword of social media vigilance: it spotlights real risks like antibiotic overuse but breeds hysteria that hurts ethical players without due process.
The Logical Indian stands for empathy-towards wary consumers, dedicated founders like Negi, and farmers sustaining our tables-while championing dialogue, transparency, and harmony through evidence over emotion.
Regulators must bridge gaps with proactive testing to build lasting trust, fostering coexistence in a kinder food ecosystem.
