A report on mixing formalin in ice for preserving fish, published in some newspapers last week, has surprised consumers. It is known to all that widespread application of formalin in fresh fruits, vegetables, fishes, liquid milk and a variety of other food items has exposed public health to serious hazards. Against the backdrop of this alarming situation, the government had announced a restriction on import and sale of formalin last year. The fish traders have, therefore, found out ways how to dodge the authorities concerned and business leaders engaged in drives against this menace.
Formalin, a chemical substance, is mainly applied to preserve biological specimens as well as leather and textiles products. Now-a-days this chemical preservative is used in many food items by the traders despite restriction on its import.
Quoting vice president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Helal Uddin, the UNB report said that about 40 tonnes of formalin import was made last year. However, the ministry of commerce (MoC) officials refuted this report. Helal Uddin told the news agency that in addition to preserving fish and other perishable goods, formalin was also used in shrimp farming. The MoC secretary told the news agency that they did not allow anyone to import formalin in last one year. It is, however, remains a mystery how the traders get an adequate supply of the substance.
Sources in the ministry said the formalin finds its way into Bangladesh from many countries under different names and using false declarations, despite the ban. The MoC officials also said that they were not responsible to stop import of formalin through illegal ways.
Not only formalin but also another chemical, Carbide, harmful to human health is largely used to treat most of the fruits now on sale in the market. FBCCI vice president Helal Uddin further said that the excessive quantity of carbide is sprayed in fruits like mangoes, bananas and pineapples. He, however, claimed that use of formalin in fish recorded decrease in recent times. According to him, about 90% of fishes now being sold in the city's markets are free from formalin.
According to a dependable estimate, 500 tonnes of formalin enter the country for use in plastic industries, toy factories, laboratories and in other institutions per year. Bangladesh imports formalin mainly from China, Spain, Italy and some other countries. Although there is no actual statistics available about the use of formalin in the country, it is assumed that not more than 100 tonnes of this substance is used in factories and laboratories and for preserving biological specimens in medical colleges and other academic institutions. The rest 400 tonnes of formalin is 'consumed' through fruits, fishes, meat, fresh milk and other food items. It is indeed an alarming situation for the nation.
We have already said that the government announced restrictions on import and sale of formalin in the country. However, to what extent the restrictions have served the purpose of protecting human health could not be known. Earlier, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) recommended imposition of restrictions and close monitoring on import, sale and distribution of formalin and other toxic chemicals that are largely used for adulteration of food and many other items.
In addition to formalin, other harmful chemicals which are frequently used in food items also deserve serious attention. Experts suggest that the authorities concerned should ensure supply of safe food through close supervision by the relevant agencies and strict application of laws.
It may be mentioned that the High Court (HC) had earlier asked the police authority to file criminal cases under the Special Powers Act, 1974 against those using chemicals to ripen or preserve fruits, and sell those. The HC verdict was issued upon a writ petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB). The HC asked the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Customs to monitor land and sea ports to prevent contaminated imported fruits from entering the country.
The HC order further said the NBR and the Customs would test imported fruits at ports to ascertain whether they are treated with chemicals. If they detect contaminated fruits those must not be allowed to enter the country, said the verdict. It also said the use of chemicals to ripen and preserve fruits is illegal, and ordered the BSTI and law enforcers to monitor fruit depots across the country regularly to stop storage or sale of contaminated fruits.
(E-mail: khalilbdh@gmail.com)
Curbing formalin use in food
Khalilur Rahman | Published: February 16, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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