ROURKELA: Sale of fish, especially those sourced from other States, has taken a hit following fear of the presence of formalin. Even as the final laboratory report of fish samples collected from the City is yet to be released, consumers are apprehensive as is evident from deserted fish markets.
The designated Food Safety Officer and Health Officer of Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) Dr B K Mishra said from July 18, as many as 16 fish samples were randomly collected from various wholesale and retail shops. They were waiting for the report on traces of formalin in the fish, he added.
Dr Mishra, quoting Health Minister Pratap Jena, said 89 out of 137 samples collected from various districts have tested negative for formalin. He said consumers need not worry as the RMC is keeping a constant watch on the situation.
Sources said around 24 wholesale fish shops are located in the daily market while hundreds of vendors are spread across the city. Over the past fortnight, sales have dipped to such an extent that most of the wholesalers have stopped procuring fish from outside the State.
Rourkela Vyavasai Sangha working president and former chairman of erstwhile Rourkela Municipality Kalandi Badjena said fear of formalin has affected the procurement of fish from Andhra Pradesh. A majority of the City’s fish demand is met by supply from Andhra Pradesh.
The City also gets fish from Balasore, Chilika, Paradip and other areas of Odisha besides West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. Badjena said import of fish consignments from Andhra Pradesh and other States has fully stopped while one or two trucks arrive every three to four days from Balasore and Chilika.
He advised the fish traders to preserve their consignments by using ice and sell those as soon as possible. Meanwhile, prices of local fish have also increased.