Dimapur, Feb. 23 (EMN): Even though the state government has banned the export of fresh fish treated with formalin or any form of preservative since December last year—with explicit directive to get the sample analysed by the commissioner of Food Safety-cum-principal secretary of Health and Family Welfare department, prior to sale—it appears that some vendors in Nagaland are still attempting to bend their way around the restrictions.
On Saturday, the authorities of Food Safety Cell, Kohima issued a press release informing that a pick-up truck ‘transporting fresh fish from Dimapur to Kohima was intercepted at the bypass check gate by the officials of Kohima Municipal Council on Feb. 23.’
According to the authorities: “Samples of Rohu, Katla, Pankaj and Prawn were collected and sent to the state public health laboratory for testing. The test report from food analyst(s) confirmed the presence of added formalin in the fish.
“The stock of fresh fish of about 1700 kg was seized and destroyed (sic) at Ziiriizou (KMC dumping site),” it informed.
