Tamil Nadu has banned the manufacture, storage and sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs for a period of one year from April 8. The ban, issued in the interest of public health, is based on the grounds that mayonnaise made from raw eggs is a “high-risk food”, carrying a risk of food poisoning.
According to a notification issued in the Government Gazette by Principal Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner R Lalvenna, any activity relating to any stage of manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, food services, catering services and sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs is prohibited under Section 30 (2) (a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and orders of the Food Safety Commissioner of Tamil Nadu in the state.
Mayonnaise is a semi-solid emulsion typically composed of egg yolks, vegetable oil, vinegar, and other condiments served with foods such as shawarma. The notification states that mayonnaise made from raw eggs is a high-risk food as it poses a risk of food poisoning, especially from Salmonella bacteria, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes.
It has been observed that many food business operators use raw eggs for the preparation of mayonnaise, and improper storage facilitates contamination by microorganisms that pose public health risks, particularly by Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, it said.
In any specific circumstances, based on an assessment of the available information and if the potential for harmful effects on health is identified but scientific uncertainty remains, provisional risk management measures may be adopted in accordance with the Act to ensure that health is protected, pending further scientific information for a more comprehensive risk assessment.
The notification states that no food business operator should manufacture, store, sell or distribute any food item which is currently banned by the Food Authority, Central Government or State Government in the interest of public health.
