PANJIM: Stating that ministers, bureaucrats and fish traders must not interfere with the due process of science, activist Dr Oscar Rebello said the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) be authorised with absolute powers to detect and prosecute rogue traders.
“The only authority who should be given absolute powers to detect and prosecute rogue traders must be the FDA and only the FDA. Vijai Sardesai may be a master of defection, not detection. So ministers, bureaucrats indeed fish traders must not interfere with due process of science. The FDA must stand up and be counted.” said Dr Rebello in a statement.
He said, “Whatever the spin, formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen. No question you need not be a rocket scientist to understand why cancer cases are galloping in our country, sloshed as we are in chemicals. Formaldehyde is not just used to increase the shelf life of fish but every food stuff, vegetables and fruits included. So no, this isn’t the problem restricted to ‘sinful’ non-vegetarians only.”
He said, “The stakeholders such as hoteliers and restaurant owners must lobby to get all scientific facts on the table and permanent solutions if any. Our tourism is about death by drugs, sex, alcohol and selfies and killing our guests with seafood is now a fantastic new kettle of fish.”
“There are kits which if used on fish (and veggies) after being thawed, can detect formaldehyde. Purple is positive, yellow is safe when you touch the kit to the fish. Let’s use them at home. Simple washing of food in water that is mixed with vinegar can potentially eliminate formaldehyde (now you know the secret of vindalho and balchao).”
“How brilliant would it be if the High Court could take suo-moto cognisance of this issue, and monitor the progress of the solutions if any? Only a truthful and honest assessment of this problem and a thorough scientific – and only scientific – solution to it is imperative. No Goan must have been spared the sheer horror and revulsion on learning that our beloved fish is laced with formalin and then sold to us,” he added.
