German kits to be used to detect chemicals in fish

Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 8: Since sometime officials of the Assam Food Safety department have been carrying out drives against use of chemicals in preservation of food items like fruits, fish and other items.

Presently, for the purpose of detection of chemicals used for the preservation of fish, the department has decided to procure two varieties of 'rapid detection kits' manufactured by a German multinational pharmaceutical company. According to senior officials of the department, the kits would be used for on the spot detection of use of chemicals in fish.

The officials have informed that chemicals like formalin and ammonia are generally used in preservation of fish by the traders. They have informed that fish that come from other states take time to reach the market and the chemicals are used to slow down the melting down of the ice used to preserve the freshness of fish. The officials are of the view that the kits are likely to reach Assam within the next 15 to 20 days.

It has also been revealed that since sometime the Nagaland Government has been using the said kits and that Arunachal and Meghalaya governments have placed order for the same