Inspectors seize eggs smuggled from West Bank
The smuggling of eggs from the West Bank into Israel is continuing. In the middle of last week, inspectors from the Agriculture Ministry’s Central Investigation and Enforcement Unit thwarted an attempt to smuggle about 18,000 eggs with forged markings that were to be sold in central Israel, potentially posing a risk to public health.
The eggs were seized at the Rantis checkpoint near Beit Arye. A truck arriving at the checkpoint was inspected by the ministry’s inspectors. While an initial check showed an empty truck, a more thorough examination revealed a double wall concealing about 18,000 eggs with forged markings.
The truck driver was detained for questioning and admitted loading the eggs, originating in Beitunya, west of Ramallah. Following a veterinary order, the eggs were transferred for destruction, and legal procedures have been initiated against the truck driver.
Central Investigation and Enforcement Unit director Roy Kliger said the eggs were to be sold around Israel. Their seizure was made possible by the unit’s cooperation with the Israel Police, the Border Police and the IDF, he said.
So far this year, the Agriculture Ministry has thwarted the smuggling of one million eggs from the Palestinian Authority to Israel. Since this is a “health sensitive” animal product, the Agriculture Ministry prohibits the marketing of eggs produced in nonregulated conditions. In addition, it acts to ensure that eggs are stored in an appropriate temperature and that the shipping conditions match those set by the Veterinary Services.
The Agriculture Ministry asks the public to buy eggs only from authorized vendors, where the eggs are kept cooled at a temperature of under 20 degrees, and to ensure that egg cartons are closed on both sides, so that the eggs are not exposed to human touch.
How can we tell if the markings on the egg are forged? • Make sure that the markings on the eggs are continuous, clear and uniform. • Verify that the stamped markings include that name of the sorting facility. • Verify that there is a “sell by” date and a “best before” date for storage in a refrigerator. • Make sure that the markings on all of the eggs in the carton are identical and that the sellby date is the same.