Madurai: Dindigul food safety officials seized and destroyed 10 kilograms of decomposed fish from the fish market, when they went there to check if chemicals were used to preserve fish.
Regular checks are conducted after allegations emerged that formalin was used to preserve fish sold in markets in Tamil Nadu. The food safety department in Dindigul, led by the designated officer K Natarajan conducted the raids on Thursday.
While, no formalin laced fish was found, officials found fish that had begun decomposing as its shelf life had expired. Natarajan said that there was no evidence of preservatives being used in the fish.
This market gets its supply from Kerala, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. If the fish is stored with proper refrigeration and icing (using ice), it would remain fresh for a period of three to seven days, he said. “Some fish imported from abroad are stored in cold storage below minus 20 degrees and are good for many days. If these methods are not used, they begin to rot.”
The shopkeepers found selling the decomposed fish were warned that they could face upto six months jail term with Rs 5 lakh fine, if they were found guilty again. Sources said that, the fish sold in this market are kept in the open most of the time. Decomposed fish was common during summer and it would be better if officials conduct frequent checks in the market.
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