Cuttack: In what could be considered as good news for the fish lovers, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Heath Officer, Pravakar Pradhan Wednesday confirmed that fish sold in Cuttack is absolutely safe for consumption after the samples tested negative for the cancer-causing chemical formalin.
No traces of formalin were found in eight samples of fish species which were tested in a laboratory in Bhubaneswar after being seized from fish markets in Cuttack, said Pradhan.
After formalin content was found in Pomfret fish samples in Unit-IV fish market in Bhubaneswar, the CMC officials had raided fish markets at Khapuria and Krushakbazar in the Silver city on Sunday suspecting the traders might be selling formalin-laced fish and sent the sample for the test.
On the other hand, officials conducted simultaneous raids on prominent fish markets and godowns in Sambalpur district to check if formalin was used to preserve fish stocks. Similar raids were also carried out at different fish markets at Rugudipada area in Balangir district.
Formalin, a type of chemical, is used to keep dead fish fresh and enhance their storage life.
Soon after the fish scare unfolded in the State, the Assam government had banned the import of fish from Andhra Pradesh.