Fish samples in Chennai test positive for formalin

Fish samples in Chennai test positive for formalin

News:

1. Fish species purchased from Chinthadripet and Kasimedu, the two major fish markets in Chennai, have tested positive for formalin.

Important facts:

2. The fish were tested by scientist of the Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalaithaa Fisheries University.

3. This is the first time samples of fish in Tamil Nadu have tested positive for formalin.

4. A low-cost formalin detection kit developed by researchers of the state-run university was used to test the samples.

5. The test was conducted for ascertaining if they contained the carcinogen that is used widely as a preservative and disinfectant.

6. 13 samples of fish purchased from the Chinthadripet, Velachery and Neelankarai markets tested positive at the university’s referral laboratory in Madhavaram.

7. While, 10 of the 17 fish samples purchased from Chinthadripet and Kasimedu markets tested positive for the carcinogen, causing alarm.

8. The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) officials have been undertaking tests at fish markets and harbours across the State to test for formalin.

9. Formalin:

• Formalin is a cancer-inducing chemical used illegally to preserve fish.
• Formalin causes irritation in the eyes, throat, skin and stomach.
• In the long run continued exposure causes harm to the kidneys, liver and can even cause cancers.

10. Procedure followed:

• For the test, a two gram piece of meat from the fish was taken and put inside four ml of diluent and shaken so that the formalin will get into it.
• Then this diluent was poured into the bottle containing the reagent that turned yellow revealing that it had tested positive.
• It is a very sensitive reagent and can detect up to 0.5 milligram per kilo.
• Formalin or formaldehyde is sprayed on the fish or injected into the fish or the fish is dipped into the solution. This helps keep the fish fresh for a longer time.
• Usually people who buy fish check the gills for freshness, if it is red it denotes freshness, when formalin is used the gills remain red for longer periods.
• In some cases, fishermen also apply kumkum to retain redness.

11. Findings of the test:

• Both big and small lizard fish or panna or kezhanga and paarai (Malabar trevally) were found to have formalin content of above 20 ppm (parts per million).
• Other varieties such as sura, octopus, eri vavvaal, ottu kanava, peikanava and kelithi had formalin of around 5 ppm.