MARGAO
With the opening of the State’s lone wholesale market on Tuesday, testing of fish resumed “ an exercise that has come to stay after FDA officer Iva Fernandes allegedly unearthed fish laced with formalin three years ago.
Customers and the SGPDA Chairman, MLA Wilfred D’Sa, have a simple question to ask -- can people get to see fish being tested at the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) facility at the market?
A year ago, when the SGPDA roped in the FDA to test fish in the market, in addition to the testing carried out at the borders, D’Sa had promised people they will be allowed to see how testing is carried out in the makeshift laboratory.
The Chairman had demanded that the FDA should allow people and the retailers to see the testing process, at least through the windows to ensure transparency.
When the media sought to take photographs of the testing process inside the premises, officials vehemently objected.
D’Sa, however, opined if there was transparency in the testing process, people would be relieved to know what they are consuming is safe.
“Last year, when the facility was being set up, the FDA wanted to raise the wall to block the view from outside, but I had expressed my reservations,” D’Sa said.
The PDA Chairman said he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and allow people to see the testing process.
FDA officer Iva Fernandes’ unearthing of the presence of fish laced with formalin in the wholesale fish market had created an uproar, forcing the government to start testing at the state borders.
The controversy only threw up questions over the freshness of fish imported into the state, especially from the country’s east coast.
People demanded stringent testing conditions before outside fish was allowed entry during the two-month fishing ban period.
D’Sa, however, got the CM to get the fish testing facility right inside the market to ensure transparency and instill confidence in fish loving Goans.
