Formalin treated fish; video goes viral

Mangaluru/Kasaragod: Officials seized 6,000 kgs fish laced with formalin for preservation at Walayar check post in Palakkad district. The state food safety department officials seized the Formalin laced fish being brought from Andhra Pradesh to Kerala, by conducting ‘Operation Sagar Rani’.  

The officials informed that the 6,000kgs of formalin laced fish was being transported on 45 trucks. Last week, raids were conducted at various locations in Kerala state and 12,000kgs of fish laced with formalin for preservation, were seized.  

Identified through paper strip

The use of formalin was found by using paper strip, developed by the central fisheries technology board, and informed the food safety department officials. On finding of formalin in the initial test, the seized formalin laced fish was sent a lab in Ernakulum for further tests. The officials of food safety department have conducted raids in Kozikode, Palakkad and Ernakulum districts and seized formalin laced fish.

Paper strip upgraded by CIFT

Paper strips will soon reach the markets to identify if the fish is laced with formalin. The officials of food safety department are conducting primary test by using the paper strips upgraded by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT). Later, it is send for further testing to CIFT lab.

What is Formalin?

Formalin is a colourless liquid which is used as disinfectant, germicide and for embalming. It is corrosive in nature and has an irritating smell. In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program had dubbed formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.

Viral video

A video on fishes being laced with chemicals has gone viral on social networks and fishermen expressed reservation towards it.

We do not put chemicals to the fish. To maintain the freshness of the fish, salt and ice is used. Other than that, no form of any chemical is used. These types of videos are created to scare the people, inform the fishermen in Mangaluru.

Since June is the breeding season for fishes, fishing is banned and hence fishes are brought from parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to fulfill the demand. A person created a video alleging that the fishes are being treated with chemicals and the video has gone viral on social networks.

Currently, chemicals are being used to preserve various food items including fruits and vegetables, inflicting damage to the consumer’s health and now, chemicals are also being added to fishes. This has created confusion on which food to consume, are comments of the public to this video.