Food safety dept to test fish for chemicals

“We have received complaints from some customers alleging that they had experienced the smell of some chemical from the fish they bought at the market. So, we have inspected the fish shops in the Foreshore Estate and collected samples,” Dr R Kathiravan, Designated Officer (Chennai district), Food Safety Department.

He added that the officials collected 15 fish samples and sent them to the King Institute of Preventive Medicine & Research in Guindy to confirm use of formalin or Sodium Benzoate used for preserving the fishes. “We have taken samples of ice used for preserve the fish, as some complaint that the formalin has been mixed with the ice,” he added.

The officials said that they are expecting the results from the institute next week and action would be taken against the fish vendors chemicals found in samples. There have been recurrent complaints from the public that the fish vendors were using chemicals like formalin to keep the fish from decaying. This is often alleged in the case of the catch that is brought to the city.