Fighting misuse of formalin

At a time when adulteration of foodstuffs in markets has become a common practice, the campaign by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI), the country's apex trade promotion organisation (TPO), for curbing the use of formalin is laudable. As the markets are private sector-led, it is only befitting for FBCCI to initiate drives against the use of formalin in foodstuffs and fish. The Federation will install formalin detection machine at busy New Market in Dhaka this week. It is furthermore a positive move that the apex TPO has taken the leadership in launching the private sector campaign to help protect the health of the people against hazards that formalin poses. By so doing, the FBCCI has tended to give a signal that it is firmly against misuse of formalin even if the mischief is done by businessmen and traders. In close cooperation with some private banks, the apex private sector body has started anti-formalin campaign in the kitchen markets and donated formalin detection machines in some of those in the capital city and other districts.
The concern about misuse of formalin in preserving perishable food products is now extensively shared by all quarters. But efforts by the government as well as the business community so far to reduce its use have not succeeded. What has really gone wrong? The monitoring arrangements that were earlier put in place by the relevant authorities are now conspicuous by its laxity. The FBCCI has already distributed 20 formalin detectors in markets in different districts, including those in Dhaka. But it is like a single drop of rain in an ocean. And where are these machines? Can a consumer locate the markets where the 20 have been installed? Is it feasible for a poor consumer to spend almost a day to go to a detector-installed market as far as Uttara from Azimpur to buy formalin-free fish? It is also simply impossible for the government or any other authority to monitor markets with formalin-treated food products like fish and fruits. The Health Directorate, in close cooperation with the law-enforcing agencies, should launch extensive drives continuously and impose hefty financial penalty as well as harsh jail terms as part of exemplary punishment. Wide media coverage and distribution of posters near market places suggesting do's and don'ts by the Health Education Directorate can be of help.
Doctors say formalin can cause disorders in oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, lung, heart, and central nervous system in the early phase of reaction. Consumers are unaware of the deadly practice behind storage of fresh fish they buy. Earlier, the cabinet on November 4, 2013 approved in principle the draft Formalin Control Act 2013 with provisions for a maximum of 10 years' and a minimum of two years' imprisonment for any violation of the proposed law. But such a law is yet to come into force. It is now time for the government to enforce the law in order to stop sale of formalin in the open market. Making formalin-free market in the capital is not enough. Markets at district, upazila and union parishad levels should also be freed from the toxic chemical.