The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it found residues of an antibiotic called doxycycline in the eggs.

It has immediately suspended N & N Agriculture Farm from selling its eggs and taking any birds or eggs out of the farm, reports Channelnewsasia.com.

The move comes after a routine surveillance tests on local poultry farms on Saturday.

All eggs produced on the farm will be destroyed under AVA's supervision.

The suspension will remain in place and only be lifted when AVA is satisfied that the farm has fully complied with AVA's requirements.

Supermarkets and other retailers have started to take the eggs off the shelf.

AVA said those who may have consumed N & N eggs recently need not be alarmed.

It said the levels of doxycycline in the eggs that tested positive were low and will not have any adverse health effect unless consumed over a prolonged period.

Taking such eggs occasionally or over a short term will not be a concern.

Consumers who have bought N & N eggs are advised not to consume them.

N & N Agriculture Farm produces about nine per cent of Singapore's total egg supply.

AVA said there will not be any impact on the supply of eggs.

Eggs from other local farms and accredited farms in Malaysia can easily make up for any shortfall.

AVA said other local and imported eggs continue to be safe for consumption.

Singapore consumes about four million eggs a day with about 23 per cent from the local farms.

In general, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.

When chickens are under treatment, the eggs are not allowed to be sold.

Doxycycline can be used in poultry under proper dosage regimes and withdrawal periods.

A withdrawal period between the treatment of the chickens and the sale of eggs from the treated chickens must be complied with to ensure that no doxycycline residues are found in the eggs.