Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 5: Deputy director of fisheries department, Parshwanath, clarified that fish samples collected from Malpe port, Kundapur fish market and Udupi women's fish market had been sent for testing, and the tests have confirmed that no traces of formalin were found in them.

He gave this information at the food safety advisory committee meeting chaired by deputy commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis, held in the auditorium of the office of the deputy commissioner on Saturday August 4.

The official further explained that under the orders of the deputy commissioner to check presence of chemicals used to prolong the freshness of the fish, samples of fish from trucks going outside the Malpe port, and from fishing trucks coming in from other states were tested, and that no formalin was present in them. A total of 15 fish samples had been collected from different places including Kundapur and the town, which were sent to National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories at Mysuru. Reports received from there have confirmed that the fish samples from the district were free of chemicals, he explained. Therefore, he asked people not to be apprehensive about consuming fish from here.

The deputy commissioner asked the officials concerned to regularly visit drinking water manufacturing units and food preparation units to check about quality.

District health and family welfare officer, Dr Rohini, officials of health department as well as district level officials of other departments were present.