Fish pass formalin test, labs to examine samples again
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai: 10.07.2018
After a public scare over the sale of formalinlaced fish, officials of the food safety and fisheries departments on Monday conducted tests for the chemical at seafood outlets in various parts of the city. None of the samples, they said, tested positive for the carcinogenic compound that some vendors illegally use to preserve fish.
Officials said they will test the samples again in food safety labs. They have for the past week been conducting inspections in the coastal districts after an alert from Kerala on the seizure of formalin-laced fish.
The officials made surprise morning inspections at markets in Kasimedu, Chintadripet and Saidapet, testing random samples with rapid formalin detection kits developed by state-run Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University.
“Fisheries officials conducted tests on 24 samples,” said R Kathiravan, designated food safety officer, Chennai. “All tested negative.”
“We started in Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin and then conducted similar inspections in Chennai, Kanyakumari and Nagapattinam,” fisheries director G S Sameeran said.
“The testing kit is still in the lab-testing phase. There are chances that it could give false results.” Officials are in the process of procuring 200 government-validated spot testing kits from Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi.
“We will simultaneously carry out more specific tests of the samples in our labs,” food safety and drug administration commissioner P Amudha said.
None of 100 samples collected from the districts tested positive, but Sameeran did not rule out the possibility of formalin being used. “If we come across instances in field tests, we will not hesitate to book those responsible,” he said.
Morgues use formalin, derived from formaldehyde, to preserve bodies. Fish wholesalers sometimes illegally use it as a preservative, especially while transporting it to other states.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the sale or distribution of any food article containing any poisonous ingredient may attract a minimum penalty of imprisonment for three years that may extend to life and a minimum fine of Rs5,000.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai: 10.07.2018
After a public scare over the sale of formalinlaced fish, officials of the food safety and fisheries departments on Monday conducted tests for the chemical at seafood outlets in various parts of the city. None of the samples, they said, tested positive for the carcinogenic compound that some vendors illegally use to preserve fish.
Officials said they will test the samples again in food safety labs. They have for the past week been conducting inspections in the coastal districts after an alert from Kerala on the seizure of formalin-laced fish.
The officials made surprise morning inspections at markets in Kasimedu, Chintadripet and Saidapet, testing random samples with rapid formalin detection kits developed by state-run Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University.
“Fisheries officials conducted tests on 24 samples,” said R Kathiravan, designated food safety officer, Chennai. “All tested negative.”
“We started in Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin and then conducted similar inspections in Chennai, Kanyakumari and Nagapattinam,” fisheries director G S Sameeran said.
“The testing kit is still in the lab-testing phase. There are chances that it could give false results.” Officials are in the process of procuring 200 government-validated spot testing kits from Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi.
“We will simultaneously carry out more specific tests of the samples in our labs,” food safety and drug administration commissioner P Amudha said.
None of 100 samples collected from the districts tested positive, but Sameeran did not rule out the possibility of formalin being used. “If we come across instances in field tests, we will not hesitate to book those responsible,” he said.
Morgues use formalin, derived from formaldehyde, to preserve bodies. Fish wholesalers sometimes illegally use it as a preservative, especially while transporting it to other states.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the sale or distribution of any food article containing any poisonous ingredient may attract a minimum penalty of imprisonment for three years that may extend to life and a minimum fine of Rs5,000.
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