‘Fish in Udupi district not laced with formalin’

Officials have said that the sample of fish collected from the Malpe port, the women’s fish market in Udupi and Kundapur have tested negative for formalin content.

The district food safety officer and the deputy director of the Fisheries’ Department have stated at a district-level food safety meeting on Saturday.

The officials said that there have been allegations that the fish being sold in markets is being laced in formalin. “The samples of the fish transported to outside the district have been checked too. About 15 samples were also sent to the National Accredited Board For Laboratory in Mysuru. The test report has stated that the fish had no chemical content,” they explained.

“Fish consumers need not worry about the matter,” the officials assured.

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis directed the officials to visit the food manufacturing units.

Raising concern over the increase in malaria cases in Udupi town, the deputy commissioner directed the officials to distribute mosquito nets to all students in the hostels in the district.

“In comparison to last year, the number of malaria cases has reduced in most part of the district, but there has been an increase in urban areas. Most of the migrant labourers are affected by malaria,” said the deputy commissioner.

She directed the social welfare officer to install mesh to hostel windows.

“There is a need to create awareness on the spread of malaria. Guppy fish should be released into open wells to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes,” the officer reminded.