As of March 12, a total of 842 samples of fish have been analysed by the FDA’s food safety officers in random checks in the state and so far, no adverse findings have been reported, said fisheries minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues while responding to a question tabled by Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate at the assembly session. He further said the government has appointed a third party agency, the Quality Council of India (QCI) to carry out checks at the two border checkposts – Patradevi and Pollem — to check the quality of fish with respect to added formaldehyde. The QCI also tests fish in transport vehicles from Goa as well as those from outside the state that enter the wholesale fish market at Margao. “Till date (March 12, 2021), 42,522 vehicles have been checked at these points and no adverse findings have been reported,” the fisheries minister said. “Further, the FDA, through its food safety officers, is carrying out random sampling of fish sold in the markets that are then sent to private NABL FSSAI-approved laboratories for detection of formalin,” the fisheries minister added. TOI had reported in July 2018 that the state government had banned the transportation of fish from neighbouring states to Goa in view of the formalin scare after traces of the chemical were found to be used to maintain freshness and extend shelf life of the fish.
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