Test Confirms Presence Of Formalin In Marine Fish Picked Up From Bhubaneswar Market

Bhubaneswar: The concern over presence of Formalin, a toxic chemical, in fish was found to be true on Friday.

Talking to mediapersons here, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Vishal Gagan said the Fisheries officials had collected nine varieties of freshwater and marine from the Unit-4 fish market area and sent these for a test in the laboratory fish. During the test, some Pamphlet fish were found applied with Formalin.

The Odisha government on Thursday had ordered for sample fish test to ascertain the presence of Formalin.

Gagan said his department would write a letter to the collectors of 10 districts asking them to form a task force and conduct sample test of fish after collecting them from different parts of their respective district.

He further informed that special kits have been sent to all coastal districts, where the marine fish trading is being done.

He said a committee formed by the district collectors will to keep a close watch on the export and import of marine fish to ensure that the consumers get fresh fish.

About other measures being planned by the state government, he said, “We will also talk to the Assam government to know what steps it has taken in this regard.”

The action of the state government came in the wake of the 10-day ban imposed by the Assam government on import of fish from the Andhra Pradesh after finding Formalin applied on it.

A carcinogenic substance, Formalin is used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries to prevent their rotting.