There’s an Outbreak of a Poultry Disease in Seng Choon Egg Farm But Food Safety Isn’t Compromised

They say never to count your eggs before they hatch.

In our case, we can’t count our eggs before they have been laid yet.

The reason? One of Singapore’s largest egg farms, Seng Choon Farm, currently has an outbreak of Newcastle disease—a viral disease that occurs among poultry which can cause a temporary decrease in egg production among hens.

Before you panic, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has stressed that the poultry disease is not a food safety concern as “there are no known instances of transmission (of the disease) to humans.”

Repeat that information in your head—the disease will not impact humans in any way, only chickens. So there’s no reason to avoid eggs specifically produced by Seng Choon Farms at your nearby supermarket.

But…it might impact your wallet.

Impacts on Local Egg Supply

Given that the disease will essentially cause hens to lay fewer eggs, Singaporeans can expect some supply disruption from Seng Choon Farm.

According to The Straits Times, Seng Choon Farm managing director, Koh Yeow Koon, said that the disease was discovered after there was a noticeable dip in egg production by their farm. Later testing by the Animal Veterinary Service (AVS) confirmed that their poultry was exposed to Newcastle disease.

Newcastle disease is known to affect the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems of birds.

The disease has caused a 40% to 50% drop in egg production. For comparison, Seng Choon Farm usually produces about 600,000 eggs daily which sums up to about 10% of Singapore’s egg supply.

Both SFA and AVS are currently working with Seng Choon Farm closely to monitor the disease situation.

But obviously, this isn’t good news to our wallets, given that the Russia-Ukraine war is going to impact food prices in Singapore. Watch this to the end and you’d understand:

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Other Local Suppliers Engaged to Stay Alert And Measures Taken to Maintain Egg Supply

Two local egg farms—Chew’s Agriculture and N&N Agriculture—have since been alerted by SFA to check on their biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of Newcastle disease.

Do not fear eggs running low at your local supermarkets though as Singapore’s supply of eggs remains diversified through imports from countries like Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.

SFA has also contacted egg importers who will “release more stocks from their buffer into the market” to make up for the temporary supply drop in Seng Choon Farms.

So please, keep calm and do not hoard or rush to buy eggs—more will be on their way until Seng Choon Farm has the disease under control.

In the meantime, we hope their chickens…get well soon?

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Featured Image: sengchoonfarm.com