6,000kg fish preserved in formalin returned to Hyderabad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is an alarming increase in the quantity of fish sold in the state that has been preserved using formalin, a toxic chemical. In the latest instance, the food safety department seized and returned 6,000kg sardines brought to Edappazhanji fish market in Thiruvananthapuramfrom Hyderabad after they tested positive for high formalin content .

The seizure was made during the wee hours of Sunday and the truck was returned from the check post at Amaravila on Monday.

The samples have been sent to the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) for detailed examination.

"There has been a rise in the use of formalin in the fish brought from other states. The food safety department has been undertaking routine and random inspections at the check-posts. The public has also been advised to inform food safety officials if they suspect the presence of additives in the fish they buy," food safety commissioner M G Rajamanickam said.

In another incident, the department returned another consignment of about 500kg fish brought from Tuticorin, which was found to be rotten and preserved in formalin.

Also, in some of the recent incidents, samples collected from Kaduthuruthy, Ettumannoor, Kottayam and Kanjirappally had tested positive for formalin, and the cases have been sent for prosecution.

As part of a project titled Sagar Rani, the department had collected samples from many parts of the state, and several of them tested positive for formalin.

Food safety officials said the state had been witnessing an influx of fish from Karnataka, Andhra, Goa and Tamil Nadu in large quantities via Manjeshwaram, Walayar and Amaravila check posts.

"Some of the consignments were visibly rotten, but these were being sold after mixing them with fresh fish, especially in rural areas," Rajamanickam said.

The department has been gearing up for a more intense drive by increasing its random sample collection in fish markets across the state.

But the department has also been facing the problem of lack of space to scientifically dispose of such fish.