VASCO
Amid anxiety over initial claims that Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) had found formalin in fish at the Margao wholesale market, the Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has said buying fresh fish from Goan fishermen from local waters is the safest bet instead of buying fish from wholesalers.
The GRE has, however, insisted that the FDA must keep a strict check on fish obtained from other states.
“The question of using chemicals does not arise if fresh fish is purchased from local fishermen, as chemicals are used usually to increase the shelf life or to make fish look fresh for innocent customers,” explained GRE General Secretary Olencio Simoes.
“According to reports, vehicles arrive in the State each day with fish from other states and they have to be checked. The FDA must keep a strict check on those fish stocks.”
“As Goans, we can be rest assured that Goan fishermen would never be involved in selling fish with chemicals. We must ensure that we buy fish caught locally by fishermen from Goan waters and not depend on wholesalers and fish from other states,” said Simoes.
He said authorities should take strict action against those who use chemicals to preserve fish or increase its shelf life. “It is better not to consume fish than to feast on fish which could kill us,” added Simoes.
