Team Herald

PANJIM: Following Aam Admi Party’s (AAP) claim that the fish, which was imported in Goa was laced with formalin, State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane refuted the charges and said that that none of the samples tested at the State border have tested positive.

In a statement issued late evening on Thursday, Rane said the Quality Council of India (QCI) is present 24x7 at the two check posts at Pollem and Patradevi to inspect all the fish entering in the State. 

Rane added that QCI started testing fish at the two border points since June 15, this year and till date, 1,800 samples have been tested and none have shown the presence of formalin added in them.

AAP on Thursday claimed that the fish, which was imported in the State, was laced with formalin on the basis of tests, which they had conducted on the fish in four major markets in South Goa.

Besides QCI, Rane added that the State’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officers have tested more than 6,000 samples of fish from border points as well as wholesale markets and retail fish markets in Goa. He emphasised that none of the samples have shown formalin added in them.

“More than 100 samples have also been subjected to laboratory testing using sophisticated instruments and absence of formalin has been established in all the samples,” the minister added.

Rane said the government would like to assure the people of Goa that the fish sold in the State is safe and free of formalin. “There is absolutely no need to panic or to pay heed to any rumours. We are keeping a strict vigil and constantly work hard each day to ensure the safety of each Goan,” he said.