HERALD: There have been repeated allegations with regards to the fish testing by FDA. It has been alleged and the media has exposed that fish checks are done randomly and not all the samples are tested.
Rane: FDA cannot examine every fish that is there in the vehicle but do undertake random checks of fish and the containers. It is not physically possible to check each and every fish since we have certain restrictions on the number of people we have got who are designated to carry out spot test. But that does not mean somebody should doubt our credibility. We are accountable to the people of Goa. The testing’s carried out by FDA is in consultation with Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). All tests are done are in public domain.
HERALD: You just mentioned that there is no enough manpower. What are the steps taken in that regard?
Rane: Yes! We have written to department of fisheries to provide us with some staffers to increase our strength. The checks will continue throughout the year and for that we need more reliable officers. We have also asked police for necessary protection as recently there has been a case where some unknown people tried to obstruct the test.
Herald: Has FDA so far come across any fish sample testing positive of chemical content??
Rane: No!! Since the ban was lifted till date, over 1000 vehicles with fish have entered Goa via Patradevi and Pollem check post. All the containers from every single vehicle are checked randomly. And we have not come across any chemical laced fish so far.
HERALD: How accurate are these tests. What are the chances that FDA officials will not involved in manipulating the report?
Rane: The tests are accurate as they are done in consultation with FSSAI. We should not doubt the credibility of the FDA officers. I feel that they are doing their job sincerely. Their work is personally monitored by Secretary Health, who is also Commissioner FSSAI and FDA director. They are working day and night to ensure that people of Goa get quality fish.
If there are any instances where FDA officials are found indulge in malpractices than please bring it to my notice, we will take serious action. There cannot be compromise with people’s health.
HERALD: Are you satisfied with what FDA is doing
Sanjeev: I am not at all satisfied which is why I visited the border in Pollem. I wanted to know how it was possible to check 60-90 trucks in 5 hours. When I saw what was going on and revealed it to the media, the FDA surprisingly tried to file a case against me of obstruction and that too after 15 hours. After that I had no doubt that FDA knows that the tests which they were doing is inadequate and therefore they used pressure tactics to silence me and others like me who might poke holes in their methodology.
FDA is not in a position to test the fish in a manner which can prove that the fish is safe to eat. I had told the FDA officials that they must enter the truck and must also instruct them to leave a passage in between the crates so that the officials can reach and access every crate in the truck. But that has not been done. I won’t be surprised if the Formalin fish are kept underneath or behind a line of fresh fish crates.
Right now we don’t know whether the fish trucks which are moving in Goa specially in the day time, are tested or not. We also don’t know if these transporters are using other chemicals such as ammonia which the FDA is not testing.
We also don’t know what is happening inside the fishmeal plant. The Health Minister says he is satisfied with the way FDA is testing the fish but has the FDA inspected those plants to check whether they using formaline to preserve the fish and then sell it in the market? Why is the Government afraid to enter and inspect the Fish meal plants.
Another issue of rotten fish entering Goa which is being supplied to some hotels who sell it to unsuspecting costumers. Is FDA checking such fish.
HERALD: What can be done to improve the situation
Sanjeev: Government needs to monitor fish like how they monitor alcohol. For that the FDA staff strength as to be increased to atleast 300 inspectors within next one year who will test all food items such as fruits and vegetables.
Why do we need to import fish which we already catch in Goa such as Mackrels, prawns etc? I want to ask the Health Minister why can’t Goa stop import of fish. If the Fatorda MLA can renovate the Fish market in order to give a boost of locals and promote Goemkarponn, why is the Health Minister hesitating from acting in the same Goemkarponn spirit and stopping the import of fish? Afterall, it was the Health Minister who separated Goans from non-Goans in GMC to ensure Goans have access to health care. He should apply the same principle for fish and FDA as well. This will also help our Raponkar brothers and sisters reclaim their traditional business.
Fish testing kit has to be available for public purchase so that every customer can test the fish they buy.
FDA should provide a certificate to the trucks after the test is done. We need a permanent FDA office at the borders and the wholesale fish market. One fish from every crate has to be tested at the borders as well as the unloading points such as the wholesale fish market.
I also advise the Health Minister and the government in general not to put his ego before the issue. These are issues related to people’s lives and therefore we all should work together to improve the mechanism of safety. I will continue my fight against the fish mafia to protect the health of my fellow Goans.
