Fact-check: Fake eggs being sold to customers in Punjab?

A picture circulating on social media claims to show fake eggs being sold in markets in Jauharabad, Punjab’s Khushab district, and alleges that these eggs are linked to serious health issues, including cancer. This claim has caused widespread panic among online users, raising concerns about the safety of eggs in the province.

The claim is false.

Claim

On December 15, a Facebook user posted a lengthy message along with images of eggs, alleging, “There is a surge of fake eggs in Jauharabad.” The post further claimed these “fake eggs” were causing cancer. The claim quickly gained traction and has been shared over 200 times.

Other Facebook users also shared the post, contributing to its spread. For reference, the post can be seen here.

The claim was also posted by other Facebook users and can be read here, here and here.

Fact

There is no evidence to support the claim that fake eggs are being sold to unsuspecting customers in Khushab. Additionally, the image circulating online actually depicts toy eggs being sold in China.

An administrative officer at the Punjab Food Authority in Khushab district, who asked not to be named, told Geo Fact Check that the claim was untrue. “I have seen this post as well, but it is false,” he said. “I personally checked this and also asked the special branch to investigate. We found no evidence of fake eggs being sold in Jauharabad.”

The officer also noted that he reached out to the individual who initially shared the post, but they were unable to provide any further details or verify the source of the claim.

Additionally, a reverse image search conducted by Geo Fact Check revealed that the image of the so-called fake eggs is not from Pakistan. 

In fact, the picture originated in China, where it was first published in 2017 by the media organisation Sohu. The image actually shows toy eggs designed for children, not fake or artificial eggs intended for consumption.

Sohu’s article debunking the claim can be found here.

Verdict: The claim of fake eggs causing health problems in Jauharabad, Punjab, is false. The image being circulated is not related to real eggs or any health risks, and there is no evidence to support the allegations of fake eggs in the market.

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