Odisha government allays formalin fear

BHUBANESWAR: Allaying fears of sale of formalin-laced fish in Odisha market, the State Government on Monday said traces of the toxic chemical has not been found in fish samples collected from 20 districts so far. Health Minister Pratap Jena said of 137 fish samples collected by the department from 20 districts, 89 have been tested in the State Laboratory and no trace of formalin was found in them. 

Urging people not to panic, the Minister said testing of samples is being done under the direct supervision of State Food Safety Commissioner Archana Patnaik. “The remaining samples are being tested and necessary steps will be taken if formalin is found in any of them,” Jena said.Sample testing will continue in the coming days with strict monitoring of markets across districts. Fish supply from Andhra Pradesh and other States, wholesale godowns and retailers will also be under watch, he said. 

Panic had gripped people across the State after traces of formalin were found in a pomfret fish sample in Bhubaneswar two weeks back. The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department with help of civic bodies and local administrations had launched a crackdown on fish markets across Odisha following seizure of huge quantities of formalin-laced fish in other States. Meanwhile, traders and consumers have demanded provision of affordable test kits to detect presence of formalin or any other chemical in fish.