Fish with formalin: What happens when you eat them up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
In June, Kerala food safety department officials caught nearly 9,600 kg of fish preserved in formalin at a border check post in Kollam district.
In June, Kerala food safety department officials caught nearly 9,600 kg of fish preserved in formalin at a border check post in Kollam district.

New Delhi : Fish and formalin makes a deadly combination to welcome fatal illness. These days, there is a shout that fish in the market are laced with formalin which may cause cancer if consumed. Well, the news has been confirmed by Goa Food and Drugs Administration who cracked down on consignments of fish from other states laced with the chemical. 

In June, Kerala food safety department officials caught nearly 9,600 kg of fish preserved in formalin at a border check post in Kollam district.

The seized fish included 7,000 kg of prawns and 2,600 kg of other species. The arrest was part of 'Operation Sagar Rani' launched by the state last month.

What is Formalin

Formalin is derived from formaldehyde which is a known cancer-causing agent. It is used to preserve bodies in mortuaries. It can also increase shelf life of fresh food.

While fromalin can cause nausea, coughing and burning sensation in eyes, nose and throat in the short term, it can cause cancer if consumed over a long period of time.

Fish is a highly unpreserved commodity. If it isn’t maintained at the proper temperature of 5 degree Celsius, it gets spoilt easily in a few hours. In order to increase its shelf life, the sellers now use chemicals such as formalin and ammonia.

While formalin is used as a preservative, ammonia is mixed with the water that is frozen to keep fish fresh.

Now, after the raid, fish buyers are in tensed situation and the markets wore a deserted look.

Also, Fisher women from coastal areas protested by cooking and distributing fish in front of secretariat against the campaign that fish are unsafe in the wake of recent formalin processed fish controversy.

The fish famine has also taken political angle. Availability of cheap fish had been the poll board of several political parties like the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Goa Forward ahead of the last state assembly polls.

The presence of formalin laced fish from other states has increased the demand for fresh water. Let’s see when the problem get solved.