‘Formalin in fish’ issue: Vishwajit says Congress’ test was faulty

NT NETWORK

 

MARGAO

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane along with the  scientists and FDA officials, on Tuesday, tested fish at the SGPDA’s retail market using FSSAI-approved  kit; the fish tested negative for formalin.

Three  days  back Congress  leaders had checked fish for formalin at the  same market  with a  special kit, and found the fish testing positive for formalin.

Rane, who was questioned by the fish buyers present at the market, alleged that the Congress did not have the expertise to carry out such test, and therefore “it was a faulty test.”

He said  that the  kit they  (Rane)  used  is “the right kit to check for the presence of formaldehyde. The one that was used by the Congress for checking the presence of formalin was the one used for checking any form of aldehyde.”

“Congress leaders are not experts in checking the fish. They did not use gloves while checking.  We have the scientist Dr Laly SJ, from  Cochin, who is one of the members the team which prepared the  testing kit. Congress   is playing third class politics on the fish issue. I have come here today honouring  the  request made by  SGPDA  chairman Dr Renuka  da Silva to allay the  fears  in the mind of the  fish eaters,’’ he said.

Rane, who visited the retail fish market for the first time post-formalin issue, categorically said that “there is no formaldehyde  in the fish. We came today to clarify on the issue as the  FDA official had committed a mistake. Formaldehyde is not allowed for  external use, therefore, we tested the fish today  after buying it from  five six different counters. The test is  approved by the scientist body of India. I challenge the  Congress leaders to bring any scientist for a debate, and  we would bring the  scientist from the  government of India for a debate. Today,  somebody  (without naming any one)  demanded judicial  probe into the whole  episode. Such judicial inquiries are needed into their scams.’’

The Health Minister hit out at the Congress further, stating that the Congress party is  playing politics to keep their vote bank  intact in Salcete, “but there will be curses on them.’’

When the media raised a question as to why the fish was tested in the first place, if such  spot tests are not  full-proof, the scientist Dr Laly SJ said the department has to answer that question.

She, however, explained  that the kits are prepared to test presence of  formaldehyde, starting from 4 ppm.

To an another question over the earlier spot test conducted by the  FDA,  the Minister said that “the lady  who carried out the test did not have any business to announce any kind of the results till she confirmed it. Because, legally you cannot  do any  prosecution unless  you go for  a confirmatory test, and  the procedure followed by the  FDA  is a recognized  international norm, and so, the laboratory test was done, which came out to be negative.’’

He said that the FDA will continue with random fish checking at the fish market.

“And, if the need be,  more staff on a contract basis will also be appointed for that,” he added.

A woman at the market, however, demanded with the minister to  stop the import of fish.

She pleaded with him even though the minister said that does not come under his department.