ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Jun 27:  After raising serious health concerns over the  sale of formalin- laced toxic fishes and taking cue from Nagaland, the fish vendors of Itanagar in collaboration with the  Itanagar Market Welfare Association has placed a temporary ban on fish imports from other states  especially from Andhra Pradesh.

 

‘After hearing the  reports of formalin laced fishes in social media as well as in the news  ,   representatives from fish vendors  came  to me to voluntarily dispose all fishes specially those imported from Andhra Pradesh,' informed President IMWA, Yumlam Achung.  He further added that Food and Safety unit, under  Directorate of Health Services  has called him and apprised him about the harmful effects of formalin –laced toxic fishes on humans. So in view of that call  many vendors have decided to voluntarily ban and dispose all their fish stock.

 

However fishes that are being brought from Assam and neighboring state will be allowed including local fish, he added.

While interacting with this daily, Assistant Food Safety Officer, Lokam Mangha informed that they have not issued any written order of a ban till now   but vendors have  voluntarily  and temporarily  restricted  selling of  fish laced with formalin as a precautionary measure.

The official added that Food Safety cell has not yet confirmed on the finding of such chemical substances in fish sold in the market so far but as a precautionary measure they called a meeting of all the vendors of Itanagar, Naharlagun and Nirjuli and requested them to cooperate till further testing .

 

Though there  is no complaint from any consumer after consuming fish but it is a matter of concern as cases have been reported in Nagaland and so  the department will be verifying the matter soon, he added while informing that the branch is yet to procure specific testing kit for formalin.

 

Meanwhile a concerned fish seller said that it is unethical to sell  fish which contains chemicals and they don't want consumers to suffer.