Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Government has said that no fish sample tested so far has been found to contain added formaldehyde, with authorities continuing regular surveillance to ensure the quality and safety of fish sold in the state.
The information was provided by Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar in response to an unstarred question raised by MLA Premendra Shet on trading of fish in the state. The government said the Quality Council of India (QCI) has been engaged to conduct round-the-clock checks on fish-laden vehicles entering Goa through the notified borders at Pollem and Patradevi. These checks began at the two border points in 2019 and at the Margao Wholesale Fish Market in July 2020.
The government said regular sampling and analysis of fish available in markets is carried out as part of surveillance activities to detect adulterants such as formalin and colour. Samples collected by Food Safety Officers are analysed at the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) laboratories, while some are also sent to FSSAI-approved third-party laboratories.
According to the details provided in the Assembly reply, 40,343 samples were collected at Pollem and 41,118 at Patradevi. The Margao Wholesale Fish Market accounted for 1,61,647 samples. In addition, 1,215 samples were drawn during surprise visits by Food Safety Officers at various fish markets across Goa.
The department also stated that its Food Laboratory at Bambolim is equipped to test parameters including added colour and formaldehyde using sophisticated equipment such as GC-MS.
On fish prices, the Fisheries Department said it is operating 13 Mobile Fish Stalls/Matsya Vahini stalls through fisheries cooperative societies, self-help groups and individuals at various locations. The government has also constituted a committee to study and suggest measures to make fish available to people in Goa at a reasonable price.
The department said details of fish exports from Goa are based on information provided by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). It cautioned that the export figures could also include fish imported from other states for subsequent export.
However, the Fisheries Department said it does not have information on the quantity of fish imported into Goa from other states for local consumption.
