Possible permissible limit for formaldehyde to be studied

Panaji: Food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI), an organ of the ministry of health and family welfare, has asked a panel of scientists to determine if there can be permissible limit of formaldehyde that is inherently present in fish species.

Due to the controversy over formalin-in-fish, advisor (quality assurance) at FSSAI, Bhaskar N, said they have sought a scientific panel’s opinion on this.

He was addressing a press conference on Monday held along with health minister Vishwajit Rane and scientists at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT).

Goa saw a huge controversy erupt over the presence of formalin in fish after the directorate of food and drugs administration (FDA) talked about “permissible limit” of the chemical in fish.

While it corrected its stand soon after the FSSAI categorically stated that there is nothing called permissible limit for formalin in fish, the controversy is yet to die down. Once the results are received, it is assumed there will be some closure to the whole issue, and clarity on the issue.