Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday said the state government will reinstate the ban on sale of imported fish, if they are found tested positive for formalin again.
Addressing media persons, Lyngdoh said, “If tomorrow another test is conducted and it is found that formalin level in the fish is very high then again the ban will be reinstated.”
The government had already lifted the ban with effect from June 24.
She said henceforth, random testing will be conducted on imported fish.
When asked, the health minister said that she had an interaction with the fish vendors and wholesalers and they have been informed of having certification from the government of Karnataka.
“Now where is this tampering (of the fishes) happening you need to figure out as you are the vendors. If I am bringing something to the market and I am selling it to you, I have to ensure that it has full safety measures,” she said while adding that provisions against violation of food safety will be applied.
The minister informed that “I have sat with them (vendors and wholesalers) where I have asked them approximately how many days would a truck or a lorry take to travel all the way from Karnataka to Shillong. I was telling them it would take a minimum of 15 days but they are convinced that it will take four days. So this is something which again I am not an expert so the food safety inspector is the best and most competent person to do this.
We have instructed them to take this seriously and to do all the necessary enquiries, to find out because that is what they said four days and even four days fish has a very short shelf life. How does it continue to look fresh after so many days is a million dollar question.”
Urging the public to consume local fish, Lyngdoh said, “So the public should cautiously have or consume such items of food which have travelled such distance. Go local. I am not advertising for local fish but go for something which is safe for you.”