PANJIM: Fancy some fish with your rice today? The Food and Drugs Administration says the fish is safe, there is no formalin or any other artificial preservative. But are Goans convinced on this?
“As per FDA a proper test has to be conducted in the laboratory and not a spot test. Now should we believe these tests? Also, according to recent statements testing the entire container is not practical, then how can we know that the fish we are eating does not contain formalin? I think it’s time the government stop the import and export of fish,” Anirudha Bhaje, a consumer, said.
Another citizen, Salu Gomes said, “The government is playing with the people’s health. What is the guarantee that the trucks that enter the State don’t contain formalin? We just learnt through your medium that the entire lot is not checked. Already two petitions are pending in the HC in this matter. The High Court should intervene into this matter.”
Reiterating the demand for a complete ban on the import and export of fish, people have also said that no Goans were benefiting in terms of good fish catch despite the subsidy given to fish vendors.
“I am not happy with the FDA mechanism. Just by checking one sample does not mean that the entire shipment is free from formalin. FDA should provide a stronger mechanism and only then will people trust them,” said a restaurant owner on condition of anonymity.
Another aspect that has raised suspicion is of FDA filing a police complaint against unknown people for obstructing them on duty. Citizens questioned why should they not be allowed to watch the testing or whether the officials want to hide something.
“This is completely wrong, people today are worried. They have every right to watch the spot testing of fish. They are coming there thinking about their health. Why have they filed a complaint? Does the FDA want to hide something?” asked a concerned citizen on the condition of anonymity. An activist also said the government doing this is like attacking a person’s fundamental rights.
Goencho Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) alleged that FDA has failed and that they were playing with the lives of the people while also demanding the immediate suspension of the FDA Director. “Right from the check post there is a mafia system which has been going on. FDA has failed miserably. The government is playing with the lives of the people,” GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes said.
