Formalin Was Found In 10 Out Of 86 Samples, Says Fisheries Department

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• May 30, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The fisheries department of the Government of Assam stated on Tuesday that 10 samples out of 86 obtained for...

Digital Desk: The fisheries department of the Government of Assam stated on Tuesday that 10 samples out of 86 obtained for detecting the presence of formalin in Chalani or imported fish into Assam tested positive.

The fisheries department stated today during a press conference at Gauhati University that 86 fish samples were collected from every district of the state and tested for the presence of deadly formalin in imported fish.

"We will take legal action in those districts where the fish samples tested positive for formalin. In that regard, the process has already begun. They face five years in prison if found guilty," said a spokesperson for the fisheries department.

"However, because of a lack of convincing proof, the fisheries department is still unclear on how and when the formalin was applied to the fish brought into the state," the official added. 

"As of now, we do not have evidence as to where and how the formalin was mixed with the fish," he said.

Meanwhile, it has come to light that not a single sample taken from Guwahati tested positive for the presence of formalin. The official stated that a total of eight fish samples were collected for testing from various locations in Guwahati, none of which contained formalin.

Further, the official added that consuming formalin along with the fish may cause cancer. To reduce the practise of adding formalin to fish imported into Assam from outside, the department would give testing kits to each district.

Based on the testing of fish samples, the department would conduct operations in districts where fish samples test positive for the presence of formalin, the official said. 

It also revealed additional information about the fish samples that tested positive for formalin, stating that a Chanda fish sample from Dhemaji, Rohu and Pankaj fish samples from Barpeta, Rohu and Chanda fish samples from Nagaon, and a fish from each of Bijni, Darrang, Dhubri, and Bongaigaon tested positive for the presence of formalin.

It should be noted that the Gauhati High Court on May 9 sent notices to the concerned parties following the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) in the matter involving the presence of deadly formalin in imported fish in Assam.

A PIL was filed at the Gauhati High Court asking for a prohibition on the sale of imported fish containing formalin, after which the court informed the state government, the fishery department, and the food safety department.

Moreover, the court notified Nagaon College and asked for it to prepare a report providing facts concerning the case. This comes after Nagaon College detected the presence of toxic formalin in imported fish.

Earlier, the Assam fisheries department had directed four institutions in the state to do comprehensive research and investigation into the possible presence of formalin in imported fish.

Formalin is used in industries as a disinfectant, as a preservative in some food products, funeral homes, etc. When formaldehyde is dissolved in water, it reaches the desired condition.