A ‘quick test’ was conducted on consignment of fishes and liquid from Andhra Pradesh
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 17
In a huge relief for the public and all other stakeholders alike, a truck-load of fish which arrived in Dimapur on Wednesday from Andra Pradesh was tested negative for formalin. The consignment was tested the same day for formalin content at DDSC Stadium, Dimapur.
With the sample negative result, the Chief Medical Officer Dimapur under the direction of Health & Family Welfare Department, Kohima declared the particular fish consignment containing 290 boxes as safe for consumption and the fishes were allowed to be sold in the market by afternoon.
Testing of the fish was done by a team of Food Safety officials from the District Hospital Dimapur in the presence of representatives from district administration, DMC, police, fish wholesalers and dealers, Food Business Operators, Naga Council and DCCI.
Briefing media persons at the Stadium, Food Safety Officer, Dimapur, Samuel Zehol said that random testing was done for four types of fishes including Pomfret, Rohu, Catla and Pankaj. The testing was done for the fishes as well as liquid contained in the fish boxes since formalin could contain inside the boxes even without directly injecting into the fish. Taking utmost steps in carefully carrying out the tests, the officials also pulled out boxes from the middle of the consignment at the bottom and conducted tests on the fishes. The Food Safety of Wheels team carried out what they described as a ‘quick test’ on the fishes and liquid.
Later, briefing the media about the tests conducted, CMO Dimapur, Dr. Vikato Kinny said even as the Government of Andhra Pradesh tested the consignment and cleared it as negative (formalin free) before transporting it to Nagaland, the officials in Dimapur retested it for safety purpose. The Certificate of Quality declaring the fish consignment as formalin free was also sent along with the truckload by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The consignment came in properly packed and loaded boxes with seal and certification signed on every box by the Fisheries Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The consignment was opened in the presence of all those officials and representatives present.
Dr. Vikato informed that the department would continue to test every fish consignment before entering the market. Asked about the status of fish ban which was extended for another three months, the CMO said that the Government of Nagaland had banned only formalin contained fishes and not fish as a whole. He said even though fishes enter the local market after being tested negative for formalin content, the authorities would conduct surprise checking in the market for formalin content fishes. The CMO informed that Food Safety officials would continue to conduct checks on all other consumable items, restaurants and hotels in the market apart from fish for the safety of the consumers.
Towards this effort, he appealed for support and cooperation from the public, civil societies and government agencies.
