Vishwajit Rane announces plans to prevent use of hazardous chemicals as preservatives

The Goa government will hire an international agency to check fish and ensure that hazardous chemicals like formalin are not used as preservatives, state Food and Drugs Administration Minister Vishwajit Rane said Monday.

A high-level committee comprising Goa Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai, Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar, besides Rane, met in Margao Monday to discuss the issue.

"There are fears being raised about the use of formalin in fish. We have decided to address it by hiring an international agency which will test the fish that is imported in Goa from other states," Rane told reporters after the culmination of the meeting.

He informed that the state government would finalise the name of the international agency within 24 hours and it would be invited to work along with the state's FDA in this regard.

He said that the decision to invite the international agency was taken after consulting the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The FSSAI, a Central body, is responsible for making regulations and setting standards, import of food, notifying labs and ensuring cooperation with the states. The issue of formalin or formaldehyde, a potential cancer-inducing chemical, as a preservative in fish has rocked Goa for several months now.

Meanwhile, Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar Monday opposed the decision terming it "corruption" and reiterated the party's demand that fish imports into the state be banned.

"The government wants to make money in adversity. When people are worried about formalin in fish, rather than banning imports, they (government) want to hire an international agency. This hiring means corruption," he alleged. Chodankar also claimed that the appointment of an international agency confirmed the Congress' fears that fish in the state was laced with formalin.

"The decision clearly indicates that the government is not sure fish is free of formalin. By appointing an international agency they have confirmed our fears," Chodankar said. He questioned the appointment of a foreign agency and said that India had enough scientists of repute for the work. Rane Monday said that unlicensed fish traders will not be allowed to operate in Goa after October 15.

Goa Town and Country Planning minister Vijai Sardesai said Monday's meeting discussed measures to ensure highest standards are adopted so as to make fish safe for consumption.

Sardesai alleged that the opposition Congress was creating doubt in the minds of the people about fish being consumed in Goa and added that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had been apprised of the issue.

Parrikar is admitted in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi reportedly for a pancreatic ailment.