the goan I network
PANAJI
Asking the State government whether fish testing kits could be made available to public at main fish markets in the State, the Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday also asked the FDA to install counters at the prime fish markets so people can examine fish at the site.
It may be recalled that Shivraj Kamat Tarkar, Vitthal Naik and AAP leader Valmiki Naik had filed three separate petitions regarding formalin mixed with fish imported from other States.
The hearing took place on Tuesday and FSSAI sought some days to present its side. The public prosecutor also informed the court that the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conduct regular and surprise checks on fish imported from other States.
The bench later asked the government if it could provide facilities to the public to test fish available in the markets. The court also asked the FDA to install counters at the main fish markets so that people could examine the fish.
The High Court also sought information regarding facilities pertaining to FSSAI. The next hearing of this case will held on October 3.
Meanwhile, FDA conducted surprise checks of fish in the Panaji and Margao fish markets. Five samples from Panaji and four from Margao were tested by FDA officials and all were found to be negative, sources disclosed.
On July 12, a spot check of fish samples by Food and Drug Administration officials in the State yielded positive results for formalin raising a hue and cry from fish-loving Goans. Formalin is a substance used as a preservative for biological specimens in laboratories. It is potentially carcinogenic for humans if consumed over a long period of time.
Though FDA officials clarified that the traces were within “permissible limits” and the government supported the claim, fish markets in the State had worn a deserted look.
