No traces of formalin found
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 09 2018:
Despite the ban on import of ice packed fish into the State, authorities have not been able to detect any presence of formalin in the ice packed fishes in the State till now.
A team of Food Safety Wing of the Health Directorate, under the supervision of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) carried out a drive at the fish stalls located along Nagamapal area today and during the drive, Food Safety Nodal Officer Sanajaoba Meitei said that the Test kit created by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology reached Manipur yesterday.
He explained that fishes have an inherent form of formalin in their bodies but if the level of formalin is far higher than normal, the test kit will be able to detect such excess formalin.
During the drive today, all the fish samples tested negative, he added.
Sanajaoba Meitei informed that such drive will be carried out at other places of the State including Moreh.
Replying to a query, Sanajaoba said that CIFT has extended the contract for making more of the Formaldehyde Detection Kit for Fresh Fish to Hi Media Laboratories and the kit will become available for the people soon.
Explaining that formalin is water soluble, he appealed to the people to thoroughly wash the fish products with fresh water.
On the other hand, he claimed that most of the fish vendors in the State do not possess FBO licenses and appealed to the vendors to procure the necessary license at the earliest.