Fish lovers beware! Unscrupulous fish wholesalers are using formalin, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical commonly used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries, to prevent fish from deteriorating during transportation. This shocking practice came to light after fisheries department authorities in neighbouring Punjab sounded an alert. What is alarming is that while the Punjab authorities have reacted, authorities in Delhi, from where the fish is resold to Punjab retailers, appear unaware of the malpractice. Dr A. K. Walia, Delhi’s health minister, when contacted, said, “In the past, whenever we have heard reports about adulteration in any food substance, we have carried out raids, thoroughly examined the substances and subsequently taken requisite action.” “Formalin is a poisonous substance and I am hearing about its use in fish coming to Delhi only now. We will definitely enquire about it and once it is authentically established, we will take whatever action is required under food safety laws,” he promised. “There is no usage of formalin to preserve the fish as the authorities keep a check on quality of fishes coming in,” insisted Chaudhary Riyasat Ali, chairman of the Ghazipur Fish Market, Delhi’s largest. Every day, about 20- 26 tonnes of fish arrives at this market, from places as far away as Orissa, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. This peaks to over 50 tonnes after October. The contaminated fish was mostly of the Pangasius variety. Pangasius is a type of Vietnamese catfish which is now farmed in a big way in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra fish producers, however, strongly deny the practice and say they send their produce in airtight ice containers which keep fish fresh for up to 10 days. “I challenge anybody to prove that the fish is preserved with formalin. Let any official come to our places and conduct any inquiry,” said Ch. V. Ranga Raju, a leading fish exporter from Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district.
source: in.news.yahoo.com
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