No traces of formalin found in fish samples collected from city markets

Kolkata: The fish loving Kolkatans have reasons to rejoice after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) found no trace of formalin in the fish samples collected from nine fish markets in the city after a three-day drive.

"We have collected as many as 18 samples of fish from nine markets in the city that includes Entally Market, New Market, Manicktala Market, Poura Parna Bithika Market in Behala, Taltala Market, Orphangunge Market in Kidderpore, Taltala Market etc. All the samples have been tested in our laboratory and we have found no trace of formalin," Member Mayor-in-Council (Health) Atin Ghosh said.

The drive that was held on July 16, 17 and 18 covered the wholesale fish sellers and samples were picked up from Rohu, Katla and a few Bhetki variety.

Ghosh, however, added that the civic body will keep an eye on the markets to ensure quality of fish varieties.

"We are planning to conduct surprise drives in the wee hours and collect samples when truck loads of fish reach the markets through import," he maintained.

The drive was conducted after there were allegations of presence of formalin in the fish imported from Andhra Pradesh.

It may be mentioned that more than half the fish consumed in the city is procured from Andhra Pradesh.

Formalin is a preservative that can lead to cancer if consumed over a period of time. The chemical can also cause nausea and other ailments in the short term.

Officials of the state Fisheries department have been asked to visit wholesale markets across the city from Saturday to collect samples that will be checked.

According to the state Fisheries department stats, the city alone consumes around 235 tonne of fish every day. Fish from Andhra Pradesh - mostly Rohu and Katla - accounts for around 135 tonne of the total consumption.

Of around 1.73 lakh tonne of fish that Bengal imports from other states annually, Andhra accounts for around 1 lakh tonne. The Assam government had already banned sale of fish from Andhra Pradesh after lab tests detected formalin in some samples.

"Banning of fish from Andhra will be difficult for Bengal. If we stop import, the deficit cannot be met by local production," an official in the state Fisheries department said.