Formalin Scare: Freshwater Fish Safe For Consumption

Bhubaneswar: Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department on Wednesday confirmed that freshwater fish sold in the markets across Odisha are absolutely safe for consumption as no traces of cancer-causing formalin were found in them.

“After examination of freshwater fish samples, we came to know that other than Pomfret, samples tested in the laboratory were found negative for formalin. However, there is no need to panic as regular inspection is underway at several places in the state. Besides, efforts are on to raise awareness among the fish vendors regarding the carcinogenic chemical,” an official said.

Samples of varieties of fish were collected from different places in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Balasore and Rourkela since July 13 and sent to laboratory for tests.

Notably, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary Vishal Gagan on July 13 had confirmed the presence of formalin in Pomfret fish samples picked up from Unit-4 fish market in Bhubaneswar.

In a letter to the district public health officials and municipal corporations, Commissioner of Food Safety Archana Patnaik has asked them to collect samples of fish and send them to the National Food Testing Laboratory.

Citing reports in the print and electronic media, she directed theses officials to ask the food safety officials concerned to collect random samples.