Chemical in AP fish: Odisha to send samples for test

| | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

A day after the Assam Government banned sale of fish procured from Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha Government has decided to examine samples in order to detect presence of cancer-causing chemical formalin in the fishes.

“The Fisheries Secretary has been asked to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit a report. Fish samples imported from Andhra Pradesh would be tested. An expert team would be constituted for the purpose. On the basis of the report, we would take necessary action,” said Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy.

Notably, the Assam Government on Wednesday banned procurement and sale of fish from Andhra Pradesh and other States for a period of 10 days following tests on samples that showed presence of cancer causing chemical formalin.

Formalin is used for the preservation of biological specimens and embalming, which is a funeral custom of treating human remains to delay their decomposition.