Formalin found in fish samples in Sambalpur: Official

Formalin was suspected to be present in fish samples collected from the western Odisha city of Sambalpur today, a senior Fishery department official said.

Formalin is a toxic chemical which is used to preserve bodies.

A joint team of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Fisheries Department found signs of presence of the cancer inducing chemical in two fish samples during spot checking at Charbhati area in the city, Deputy Director, Fisheries, Sambalpur Zone, Pabitra Kumar Behera said.

During the preliminary spot tests conducted with the help of a special kit, the colour of the chemically treated paper changed slightly, Behera said.

"Therefore, presence of formalin in the fish samples is suspected. It was a preliminary test and the samples will be sent to the laboratory in Bhubaneswar for detailed examination," he said.

Fisheries officials said the fishes were brought from a neighbouring state.

The samples which are being sent to Bhubaneswar laboratory for detailed test include Labeo Findriteus, locally called Khursia Rohi, and Labeo Calbasu, locally called Kala Bainsi. These two varieties fishes are generally found in south India, said Behera.

Food Safety Officer Pratap Rudra Mandal said the Fisheries department has provided a kit for spot testing. Spot test was conducted in areas like Ainthapali and Kamli bazaar in the city where signs of formalin presence was not seen.

However, during testing in Charbhati area, the colour of the chemically treated paper, which exists in the kit, slightly changed, indicating presence of formalin, he said adding exact position would be confirmed after thorough test in Bhubaneswar laboratory.

Trace of formalin had earlier been found in Pomfret fish sold at the Unit-IV fish market in Bhubaneswar. However, no trace of formalin had so far been detected in fresh water fishes sold in the market.

Testing kits were brought from Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi for inspection, said an official.