All Maltese-produced eggs free of biocides and Fipronil residue

The Veterinary Regulation Directorate has tested all Maltese egg-laying hen farms, concluding that all farms are now free of Fipronil residue above the EU maximum residue level of 0.005mg/kg. 

All Maltese-produced eggs are now confirmed to be fit for human consumption, and Malta is the only member state in the European Union which has successfully tested all of its commercial farms to date. 

The tests came as a result of a notification from the Environmental Health Directorate which received positive results for Fipronil from eggs collected from shops and supermarkets from five Maltese farms and two Italian farms on 30 August this year.

Samples from these five farms were collected and sent to an accredited laboratory in Germany on 5 September in order to be tested for Fipronil and Amitraz (pesticides). Three out of five of these farms resulted positive for Fipronil in the egg samples and were banned from selling the eggs. The remaining two farms which tested negative had the ban lifted. 

In the meantime, the VRG went on to test all other remaining egg-laying hen farms in Malta, resulting in 21 egg samples, 22 muscle/fat samples and 28 feed samples being sent out on 7 September for testing. 

By 12 September, all feed samples were confirmed free of pesticides and all egg samples and muscle/fat samples were confirmed free from Fipronil and Amitraz residues.

The farms which were found to be contaminated on 30 August continued to be monitored and egg samples were collected weekly and sent to Germany and UK for analysis. On 16 October, it was confirmed that all of these farms were free from Fipronil residue. A liquid biocide used by farmers was also sent for analysis, which confirmed that no Fipronil was present in the product. ​