the goan I network
PANAJI
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said the Food and Drugs Administration will halt continuous testing of fish samples imported from outside at the border check-posts and instead rely on random testing at markets, in restaurants and even at the borders as well.
Rane said, the continuous testing model is not feasible and that ‘random testing’ is an universally-accepted model.
“Tomorrow if I start checking the food of one canteen daily, they won’t do anything illegal because they’re expecting the checks. That’s how random checks are effective,” Rane said on the sidelines of the function to commemorate 10 years of 108 ambulance services in Goa.
The government had begun testing samples drawn from trucks importing fish at the borders after the raging controversy over fish laced with ‘formalin’ had raised doubts that unscrupulous wholesalers were using the toxic compound to increase shelf-life.
The controversy raged for weeks after a raid by FDA at the Margao wholesale market and spot tests on 17 samples of fish from multiple trucks had shown the presence of the carcinogenic formalin on July 12.
The issue took a political hue, when the FDA subsequently did a flip-flop and claimed that the fish was safe as the formalin was found to be within “permissible limits” after detailed tests on the samples in their laboratory in Bambolim.
Nearly two months later, the fear among Goan public for whom fish is a staple, is refusing to die out and Rane urged the media to refrain from spreading panic.
“Lots of people have become self-proclaimed scientists. I don’t want to talk about them. If something is not going right, bring it to our attention, we will take cognisance,” he said, adding that the FDA was following FSSAI guidelines.
On questions raised about the efficacy of the testing kits used by FDA personnel at the borders, Rane said: “The kit for spot analysis is as per FSSAI guidelines. They are not manufactured by the FDA.”
Meanwhile Rane said, the 15-day deadline for registration of trucks by fish importers which ended will be extended as some people have sought time to complete the formalities.
“I don’t see any harm in giving extension. We must be practical. The circular will be strictly followed 15 days after Ganesh Chathurthi,” Rane said, adding that the question of whether fish sold is fresh or stale will also be taken into account by the FDA.
