01 Sep 2019

Quail eggs do not have any proven medicinal properties and therefore cannot be marketed and sold as such, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has warned.

A press release from the ministry says raw quail eggs have no beneficial effect against blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, kidney or gall bladder, stones, allergies, cardiac conditions, HIV and AIDS, asthma, tuberculosis, ulcers, cancer, arthritis or any other chronic conditions.

The ministry has warned the public against some vendors marketing quail eggs as having medicinal properties to treat many medical conditions.

The release says some vendors continue to market quail eggs and sell them across the country for that purpose, but such advertisement, it says contravenes the Food Control Act of 1993.

It also states that the eggs, like any other animal product, must be cooked before consumption and must not be eaten raw as it poses a health risk such as salmonellosis.

It further says cooked eggs maintain all their nutrients and eating raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, puts one at risk of salmonella infection. It says and the absorption of some nutrients, especially essential amino acids, may be reduced or even blocked completely.

It states that salmonella infection can cause serious health consequences in infants and young children, pregnant women, the elderly and immune-comprised individuals.

The public is advised to refrain from consuming raw quail eggs and to alert local authorities, the ministry or the police if a vendor is found selling quail eggs with medicinal claims. ENDS