Dimapur, Oct. 10 (EMN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) is insisting that the authorities continue to monitor fish and fish products for the chemical formalin, in Nagaland. The organisation issued a press release to the media on Thursday stating that an enforcement and check system was required as said marine produce are being imported mostly from outside the state.
The BAN, which is an organisation of Naga businesspersons, issued a press release on Wednesday. The group is appreciative of the state’s government prohibiting the sale of fish treated with harmful preservatives like formalin in the local market.
“Formalin is the chemical used to preserve bodies and prevent its decay in mortuaries. The widespread use of the deadly chemical nowadays in the preservation of fish and other food items is posing a great threat to public health,” the press release read. ‘The association would like to thank the health and family welfare department in particular as the measures will protect the citizens from harmful cancer causing chemicals and other health hazards.’
‘The onus is now on the government to continue monitoring the sale of fish in the state. Since most of the fish is imported from outside the state, a strict mechanism can be developed to test the fish before it enters the local market.’
Properly testing and certifying the food safe will only increase the credibility of the state government, the BAN stated.
The organisation has urged the Naga people and entrepreneurs in Nagaland to venture into fish farming ‘so that we do not rely on imported fish to meet local demand.’
Here the BAN stated that the role of the Fishery department was of outmost importance for the farmers to technically upgrade themselves with modern methods of farming and facilitate in getting the best breed of fish ‘so that our state becomes fish producing state.’
‘As of today the total fish production of the state is 8200 MT which covers about 30% of the total requirement of fish consumption in the state. BAN also requests the state fishery department to pull up their socks to bridge the huge demand-supply gap in the state,’ the BAN added.
