Toxic Fish: Odisha Food Safety Commission seeks samples from all districts

Bhubaneswar: After detection of cancer-causing Formalin in fish, the Commissioner of Food Safety has written to all District Public Health Officers-cum-Designated Officers and Municipal Corporations of the State to collect samples of fish and send it to the National Food Testing Laboratory.

Citing reports in 'electronic & print media,' the commissioner asked the authorities to instruct concerned food safety officers to collect random fish samples.

On the other hand, Jai Jawan Fish Traders' Association said that seafood will not be sold in Bhubaneswar for next 10 days. The decision has been taken by the body keeping in view the safety of consumers.

According to sources, a meeting of the working committee of the association will be held later to take further decision.

"After Formalin was detected we have decided not to sell fish for the next 10 days. Only after a working committee meeting, further course of action will be decided," member of Jai Jawan Fish Traders' Association, Jambeswar Mallick said.

Earlier, traces of cancer-causing Formalin were detected from Pomfret fish samples in Bhubaneswar following which the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) conducted raids on several fish markets and godowns yesterday.

The health wing of the municipal corporation led by food inspector raided the fish markets and collected samples for examination.

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary, Vishal Gagan on July 13 had confirmed that, “Traces of cancer-causing Formalin was found in Pomfret fish samples collected from Unit-4 fish market in Bhubaneswar.”