MANGALURU: A video, shared broadly on social media, claiming fish sold in markets positioned in the coastal belt of Karnataka are laced with poisonous chemical compounds has raised severe concerns amongst fish fans.
Though the location, where the video was shot, isn't but traced, it is assumed that the byte was captured both in Dakshina Kannada or Udupi as both parties – complainant and fish distributors – keep up a correspondence in Tulu. A section of other folks believe it was shot in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada. Fish distributors in the video are noticed confessing that simplest outdated fish strolling back from other portions of South India are laced with chemical compounds and the fish caught in Mangaluru are clean.
Formaldehyde that is used to maintain dead bodies and ammonia that is typically used as fertilizer in agriculture are some of the chemical compounds locals allege are used in fish that is currently to be had in the market.
As fishing is currently banned, many of the fish to be had in the native markets this is iced and arrives from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
“Since several years, rumours were making the rounds alleging poisonous chemical compounds are both injected or sprayed on fish to keep them fresh and shining. However, this hasn’t been confirmed so far. Chances of one of these racket working in fish industry cannot be ruled out. During my provider, I have heard several allegations of fish being laced with sodium benzoate to retain their sheen,” said V Ok Shetty, former managing director of Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation.
He said a few years ago, fish merchants from Kerala used to go back and forth to Mangaluru looking for fresh fish as they believed chemical compounds were offered into fish acquired of their waters. As a confirmation to this, in February ultimate year Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had confirmed that 47 fish samples it gathered from more than a few portions of Kozhikode were examined certain for toxic chemical compounds, together with sodium benzoate.
Benzoate could cause sicknesses equivalent to Parkinson’s, genetic problems and destruction of cells whilst formaldehyde is indexed as cancer causing agent. Continuous ingestion of ammonia can lead to several well being problems.
Calling for introducing traceability measures in fish business, Shetty said strict measures must be offered, equivalent to main points from where fish was caught and boat that was used in fishing. “This will lend a hand convey transparency in the business,” he said. Currently, cultured fish used in export undergo such assessments.
Iddya Karunasagar, senior director, Nitte (deemed to be) University said in case of suspicion, samples of such fish might be sent to ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Technology for detection. “Recently, speedy detection kits for formaldehyde and ammonia adulteration in fresh fish were offered. This test involves bringing a PH paper in contact with fish. The paper adjustments color if the fish has formaldehyde or ammonia,” he added.
Though the location, where the video was shot, isn't but traced, it is assumed that the byte was captured both in Dakshina Kannada or Udupi as both parties – complainant and fish distributors – keep up a correspondence in Tulu. A section of other folks believe it was shot in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada. Fish distributors in the video are noticed confessing that simplest outdated fish strolling back from other portions of South India are laced with chemical compounds and the fish caught in Mangaluru are clean.
Formaldehyde that is used to maintain dead bodies and ammonia that is typically used as fertilizer in agriculture are some of the chemical compounds locals allege are used in fish that is currently to be had in the market.
As fishing is currently banned, many of the fish to be had in the native markets this is iced and arrives from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
“Since several years, rumours were making the rounds alleging poisonous chemical compounds are both injected or sprayed on fish to keep them fresh and shining. However, this hasn’t been confirmed so far. Chances of one of these racket working in fish industry cannot be ruled out. During my provider, I have heard several allegations of fish being laced with sodium benzoate to retain their sheen,” said V Ok Shetty, former managing director of Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation.
He said a few years ago, fish merchants from Kerala used to go back and forth to Mangaluru looking for fresh fish as they believed chemical compounds were offered into fish acquired of their waters. As a confirmation to this, in February ultimate year Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had confirmed that 47 fish samples it gathered from more than a few portions of Kozhikode were examined certain for toxic chemical compounds, together with sodium benzoate.
Benzoate could cause sicknesses equivalent to Parkinson’s, genetic problems and destruction of cells whilst formaldehyde is indexed as cancer causing agent. Continuous ingestion of ammonia can lead to several well being problems.
Calling for introducing traceability measures in fish business, Shetty said strict measures must be offered, equivalent to main points from where fish was caught and boat that was used in fishing. “This will lend a hand convey transparency in the business,” he said. Currently, cultured fish used in export undergo such assessments.
Iddya Karunasagar, senior director, Nitte (deemed to be) University said in case of suspicion, samples of such fish might be sent to ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Technology for detection. “Recently, speedy detection kits for formaldehyde and ammonia adulteration in fresh fish were offered. This test involves bringing a PH paper in contact with fish. The paper adjustments color if the fish has formaldehyde or ammonia,” he added.
Rumours of chemically treated fish in markets scare locals
![Rumours of chemically treated fish in markets scare locals]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 26, 2018
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