In a sigh of relief for fish traders and consumers in the State, the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department on Wednesday clarified that freshwater fishes sold in the markets don’t have trace of cancer-causing chemical formalin.
After receiving the sample reports, the department informed that other than pomfret, all fish samples sent to a laboratory for examination tested negative for formalin.
After allegations of formalin content in fishes had been reported, samples of various fish species were collected from several places, including Cuttack, Brahmapur, Bhubaneswar and Baleswar, since July 13 and sent to the laboratory for test.
Testing kits were brought from the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore and the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi for the inspection.
“There is no possibility of the presence of carcinogenic chemical in freshwater fishes being produced in the State. They are absolutely safe for consumption.
However, the inspection drive would continue to ensure that no fish containing formalin comes to the Odisha market. Besides, steps are being taken to create awareness among the fish vendors,” said an official.
Meanwhile, raids were conducted on several fish markets in Rourkela, Brahmapur, Cuttack and Baleswar by officials. The separate teams have also collected some fish samples for tests.