Several incidents of food poisoning have been reported from various places like Havelock Island and Tirur village in South Andaman District, since last fortnight. Nearly 50 employees of three resorts of Havelock Island fell ill on February 2 last, after consumption of a particular fish namely Twin Spotted Snapper locally known as Kutha Bhetki. On March 13, again, eight people belonging to two families of Tirur village fell ill after consuming the same fish. After media reports, the Food Safety Department took serious note of incidents and initiated action against the people liable for fish poisoning. Show cause notices have been already issued to concerned fish vendors and resorts and strict action as per law is being initiated against them, sources in Andaman’s Food Safety Department said here today. As a precautionary measure the general public are advised not to consume Kutha Bhetki (Twin Spotted Snapper) fish during this season. The Restaurant operators and other food vendors are also advised not to prepare and serve dishes made from the above named fish to the customers as well as to their employees. The fishing community is also requested not to offer for sale the above named fish, the source added. Although the Andaman Administration is mentioning that the incidents occurred due to consumption of Twin Spotted Snapper fishes but most of the victims suspect that they fell sick due to dangerous chemicals like formalin which are allegedly mixed in fish by some fishermen for preservation of fish. However, Andaman’s fisheries Department and Food Safety Unit are maintaining that they are conducting regular raids in fish market but they have never found any trace of formalin.