Are your eggs safe to eat? 'Artificial eggs' made out of 'plastic' sold in Kolkata market; shopkeeper arrested

New Delhi: In what could be termed as a case of food scandal and posing serious health risks to consumers, 'artificial eggs' made out of plastic have been found selling in the markets of Kolkata.

The sale of dangerous eggs came to light after a woman lodged a general diary with the Karaya police station alleging that plastic eggs are being sold in the market.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper named Md Shamim Ansari was arrested on Friday morning from Park Circus Market for selling artificial plastic eggs to the complainant, an officer from the Kolkata Police`s Enforcement Branch said.

Acting on a police complaint by Anita Kumar, earlier the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has ordered an investigation into the matter.

"These eggs are being sold in the Tiljala market. As soon as I got to know about the complaint, I let the police know so that we can carry out checks of all municipal markets. I have also received some documentary evidence," KMC Mayor Sovan Chatterjee said.

According to Anita Kumar, the "fake egg" had a strange "plastic-like quality" when it was spread out on a pan.

"I tested my suspicion by putting a match to it and it caught fire. The shell also looked plastic. I was sure that this was not natural and, being a mother, I felt I should alert the public," Anita said.

(With IANS inputs)