The Meghalaya government put a 15-day ban on the import and sale of fish from outside the state after laboratory testing...
Digital Desk: The Meghalaya government banned the import and sale of fish from outside the state for 15 days after laboratory testing revealed that 30 samples of fish tested positive for 'formalin,' an illegal preservative.
RM Kurbah, Commissioner of Food Safety "...the storage, distribution, or sale of imported fresh fish or crustaceans brought from outside the state is hereby prohibited for the time span of 15 days in the interest of public health or until corrective measures are taken with effect from the date of issue of this notification," according to a notification.
Commissioner of Food Safety further cautioned that failure to comply with this notification could result in imprisonment for up to 7 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh under Section 59 (iv) of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
According to the announcement, 30 of the 40 fish samples tested positive for formalin, which is highly poisonous and harmful to health, according to analysis reports from the Assistant Food Analyst to the Government of Meghalaya in a report dated June 6.
"Regulation 3.1.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, indicates the preservatives permitted to be used in select articles of food, and formalin is not on the said list of permitted preservatives."
"And whereas, distribution, storage, and sale of fresh fish treated with formalin or other unpermitted preservatives renders the articles 'unsafe' under Section 3(1)(zz)(v) of the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006," the statement concluded.
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