Team Herald
PORVORIM: The Opposition on Monday has demanded an judicial inquiry into the formalin in fish issue while also requesting for a permanent regulatory mechanism to inquire into all types of food to ensure regular and quality supply.
Currently formalin in fish row has become one of the most burning issues in the State.
“As per the Food, Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in their report have said that upon cooking the fish on temperatures of 75 degrees, the natural formaldehyde present in fish gets evaporated but nowhere it is mentioned that added formalin upon heating gets evaporated. This is a very serious issue and I demand a judicial inquiry in the formalin in fish issue,” said Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao while demanding for a judicial inquiry said that Goans should be inducted in wholesale fish market committee to eradicate such serious issues.
“The Fisheries Department does not have any strategy. There is ample amount of fish available in Goa most of which is exported. The reason of these people adding formalin in fish is due to the poor infrastructure. Goans should be inducted in wholesale fish market committee to eradicate such serious issues. If Goans are employed in the wholesale markets this issue of formalin being added will be eradicated.” Alemao said
He further said that health of Goans should not be at stake and a decision should be taken keeping in mind the future generations and their health. Also the Mafia involved in fish trade from these wholesale markets should be wiped out.
Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro said that Goan consumers are slowly poisoned through adulterated fish, fruits, meat and other food products.
“The government should appoint a permanent regulatory commission to inquire into all types of food to ensure regular and quality supply. Wholesale fish should be made available to Goans and proper cold storages should be set across the state.” he said
However, Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes demanded that the infrastructure of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) should be re-organised and more manpower added to strengthen the department.
Nuvem MLA Filip Neri Rodrigues also said that the FDA should be strengthened while demanding that adulterated fish caught should be destroyed. Meanwhile, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane demanded that fish coming from outside should be checked at the border while stating that “a mechanism should be worked out.”
“This matter is serious and some mechanism should be worked out. Fish from outside should be checked at the border. Fruits should also be checked. Most importantly the FDA strength should be increased,” they demanded.
